Former Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.(Mainichi)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida decided Monday to name former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani as his special adviser on human rights issues to address China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims in its far-western Xinjiang region and pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.

       Nakatani's appointment is expected to be formalized Wednesday when Kishida launches his second Cabinet in a special parliamentary session. The prime minister said in September that he would create the new post, which has already angered China that usually slams such moves as interference in its internal affairs.

       "I was asked to give appropriate advice and proposals regarding human rights issues by consulting with the foreign and industry ministers," Nakatani told reporters after meeting Kishida at the prime minister's office. "As a politician who has worked intensely on human rights issues, I hope to utilize my knowledge and experience."

       Kishida, who took office in early October, is forming his new team after his Liberal Democratic Party secured a majority in the Oct. 31 House of Representatives election.

       Kishida, a former foreign minister who became president of the ruling party in late September, said during the LDP leadership race that he would establish the new post to address major international human rights problems.

       Nakatani, who backed Kishida in the leadership race, is co-head of a cross-party group launched in April to draw up legislation that will enable Japan to impose sanctions on countries over human rights abuses.

       The cross-party group was established in response to criticism that Japan has been slow compared with the United States and other Western countries in taking action over human rights violations in China, Hong Kong and Myanmar.

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