Japan's centre-left government has named Takeaki Matsumoto as its new foreign minister, who will have to navigate tricky relations with the United States, China and Russia. Prime Minister Naoto Kan picked the former banker and great great grandson of Japan's first prime minister because of his capability, knowledge and to ensure continuity of diplomacy. Matsumoto, 51, replaces Seiji Maehara, an ambitious politician and outspoken security hawk who resigned this week over a donation scandal.