Mr Abe's immediate selection as Mr Endo's replacement of Masatoshi Wakabayashi, a former environment minister, belies the impression Mr Abe has tried to give that each new appointee is eminently qualified for the position.

ECONOMIST: Another blow to Japan's Shinzo Abe as a minister goes

In a statement released Thursday, Sarkozy called Strauss-Kahn's resignation "inevitable" and called for an "open and transparent selection process" for Strauss-Kahn's replacement.

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