国际英语新闻：New DPJ leadership launched, PM-elect chooses Edano as his No.2

TOKYO, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) launched its new leadership Monday ahead of DPJ President Naoto Kan and prime minster-elect's official inauguration of a new Cabinet on Tuesday.

Yukio Edano, 46, will replace Ichiro Ozawa, the political kingpin, colloquially known as "The Shadow Shogun," responsible for orchestrating the DPJ's rise to power last September, as Secretary General and Kan's right-hand man.

Edano is known as one of the DPJ's top policy authorities and has built a reputation for critically assessing government programs and slashing wasteful spending. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1993 at age 29 and is currently serving his sixth term in parliament.

Ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Naoto Kan (5th L) attends a meeting of all DPJ party parliamentarians in Tokyo, June 7, 2010. DPJ launched its new leadership on Monday, ahead of DPJ President and Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan's official inauguration of a new cabinet on Tuesday

Edano, as well as Yoshito Sengoku who will be chief cabinet secretary in Kan's government, has been a vocal critic of his predecessor's covert, back room antics and stealthy political power brokering.

The DPJ's party's policy research council has been reestablished by the DPJ leader in a bid to achieve party cohesion and solidarity and Koichiro Gemba will head the council whilst concurrently serving as the party's civil service reform minister.