Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has unveiled his cabinet, which will be charged with rebuilding the country and boosting growth.

日本新首相野田佳彦公布其内阁成员，新内阁将负责灾后重建和发展经济。

Japan has been trying to rebuild after the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami¹ earlier this year.

At the same time, Japan's economy is in recession.

Jun Azumi has been appointed finance minister, while Motohisa Furukawa has been given charge of the economics portfolio².

Yoshio Hachiro has been named as the new trade minister by Mr Noda.

Unknown quantity?

Mr Noda took over Japan's top job after his predecessor³ Naoto Kan resigned following public anger about his handling of March's quake and tsunami.

A slowdown in Japan's economy further fuelled feeling against the government.

It meant the decision over who would take charge of key ministries⁴ such as finance, economics and trade had been keenly watched.

However, the announcements, especially that of Mr Azumi, who had not been considered a front runner, have raised fresh questions.

"Appointment of a relatively⁵ unknown person raises more questions than answers and heightens a sense of uncertainty," said Koji Fukaya of Credit Suisse Securities.

Analysts⁶ also said they were not sure about his stance on financial policies.

"He [Mr Azumi] has not made many comments about intervention⁷ or fiscal⁸ policies," said Ayako Sera of Sumitomo Trust and Banking⁹.