Chinese analysts say Japan's soon-to-be prime minister has thoughtfully assembled a "suitable" team for his new Cabinet.

Japanese media said that Yukio Hatoyama, the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who is due to take over as prime minister on Sept 16, has selected 56-year-old Katsuya Okada to be his foreign minister, the second most powerful position in the Cabinet.

The third big Cabinet post will be filled by former health minister Naoto Kan, 62. Kan will be the party policy chief and lead a new agency called the National Strategy Bureau, which will set government priorities and strategies.