The new Cabinet was set to be formally inaugurated at the Imperial Palace on Friday afternoon . Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda appoints Katsuya ##ki , a former party leader , as his deputy . He is assigned to lead efforts to push through an unpopular increase in the income tax . Noda also names new defense and consumer affairs ministers after opposition pressure . The prime minister is already facing sagging approval numbers two months into his tenure .
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda appoints Katsuya ##ki , a former party leader , as his deputy . He is assigned to lead efforts to push through an unpopular increase in the income tax . Noda also names new defense and consumer affairs ministers after opposition pressure . The prime minister is already facing sagging approval numbers two months into his tenure .