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The senior vice-ministers and the parliamentary secretaries of the Noda Cabinet were decided at the Cabinet meeting on September 5.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace with 22 senior vice-ministers, who had assembled at the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister Noda and the senior vice-ministers thereafter returned to the Prime Minister's Office and attended a commemorative photograph session, which was also joined by Mr. Osamu Fujimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary, and others. Prime Minister Noda then attended the first meeting of the senior vice-ministers.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Noda delivered letters of appointment to 26 parliamentary secretaries, who had assembled at the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister then attended a commemorative photograph session and the first meeting of the parliamentary secretaries.

In his addresses at both meetings, Prime Minister Noda said, "There are many challenges confronting us. The first is the Great East Japan Earthquake. We have to see to it that the recovery and reconstruction from the devastation is fully carried out. We have to bring the nuclear power station accident to a conclusion. Also, amid growing concern about a global economic crisis, we must achieve a balance between growth and fiscal restructuring, while taking thorough measures to cope with yen appreciation and deflation. These are very large and challenging tasks.

This is all the more reason that, while perhaps this is going to be very trying work, like pushing a snowball up a hill, everyone must put their minds together and pool their energies. For the people of Japan, we must push the snowball up with all our effort, with everyone giving their all. Through our efforts, I would like to realize calm and stable politics in which all people have confidence in the Government as soon as possible."