Japan's lower house appoints new speaker

The House of Representatives of Japan on Tuesday selected Tadamori Oshima as its new speaker after Nobutaka Machimura resigned for health reason.

Machimura, 70, submitted his resignation on Monday after being diagnosed as having suffered a mild stroke, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.

"My health condition would bring difficulties to fulfill the duty as the chamber's speaker so I decided to resign," the former chief cabinet secretary and foreign minister told a press conference.

Oshima, chairman of the lower house's Budget Committee, was chosen as Machimura's successor at a plenary session. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will replace Oshima as the Budget Committee chairman.