Japan's Kawaguchi may serve as foreign minister again: media

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Incoming Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might ask upper house lawmaker Yoriko Kawaguchi to return for another stint as foreign minister, Kyodo reported on Monday.

Japan's next foreign minister will serve against a backdrop of rising tensions with China, over a territorial dispute involving uninhabited isles in the East China Sea. Mr Abe has called for a tougher stance towards China.

He is now deciding on the lineup for his Cabinet, which is likely to be formally inaugurated on Wednesday, Kyodo reported.

Ms Kawaguchi, a career diplomat, served as foreign minister from 2002-2004 under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and she also served as environment minister in 2001 under Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.