Japan's next PM picks Kamei as defence min - media

TOKYO, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Japan's next prime minister Yukio Hatoyama will appoint Shizuka Kamei, the head of a tiny ruling coalition partner, to the defence minister post in his new government, Japanese media reported on Tuesday. Kamei, the head of the conservative People's New Party and a former transport minister, is an advocate of a more equal relationship between Japan and its close security ally, the United States, echoing the stance of Hatoyama's Democratic Party.
Japanese media also said Mizuho Fukushima, head of the Social Democratic Party, would be given a portfolio in charge of consumer affairs and policies to boost the country's low birth rate. The Democrats need support from the two parties to pass laws smoothly. (Reporting by Yoko Nishikawa; Editing by Chris Gallagher)