21.   Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto named Thursday a new coalition cabinet after his election by parliament.

22.   Speaking at a news conference, he said the statement was endorsed by all three parties in the coalition cabinet.

23.   Speaking at a separate news conference, he said the statement was endorsed by all three parties in the coalition cabinet.

24.   The current cabinet contains only three members from the Hashimoto coalition cabinet before the October elections.

25.   The formation of the previous two coalition cabinets over the past year was considerably delayed by squabbling between a multitude of parties.