Japan replaces scandal-tainted justice minister

TOKYO (AP) - Japan's prime minister has named a replacement for a Cabinet minister who resigned over health issues and reports that he associated with gangsters and accepted questionable donations.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said today that Mr Makoto Taki will return to the justice ministry. Mr Taki had left the post after a Cabinet reshuffle Oct. 1, but his replacement resigned yesterday.

Mr Keishu Tanaka had been hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat and other health problems, but had also been at the center of allegations he accepted questionable political funds and was a go-between in the wedding of an organised crime figure 30 years ago.

Mr Tanaka's resignation was seen as another blow to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's unpopular administration.