Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has reshuffled his cabinet, replacing five members including two ministers responsible for a series of gaffes.
Defence Minister Yasuo Ichikawa and Consumer Affairs Minister Kenji Yamaokase had been censured by the upper house over various remarks.
Twelve posts, including finance and foreign minister, remained unchanged.
Among the new appointees are former foreign minister Katsuya Okada as deputy PM to lead tax reforms.
Seen as a heavyweight, he will be tasked with building support for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s proposal to double sales tax – Japan’s equivalent of value added tax.
This currently stands at 5% but Mr Noda says it must be raised to meet rising social security costs.
Mr Ichikawa – censured for his comments about a gang-rape in Okinawa – has now been replaced by Naoki Tanaka, husband of former foreign minister Makiko Tanaka.
Mr Yamaoka – censured for inappropriate comments on financial issues – has now been replaced by Jin Matsubara.
Source: BBC