TOKYO, Feb 1: Japan on Friday appointed a “Mr Clean" finance minister who immediately vowed to punish wrongdoers in the scandal-struck finance ministry, says AFP.

"It was decided to appoint Hikaru Matsunga as finance minister." Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka told a news conference after the appointment by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.

The premier later said he chose Matsunga "as I felt that strict investigation would be called for" of the Finance Ministry. which is reeling from a bribery scandal.

Matsunga, 69. a senior member ol the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Chairman of the Lower House Budget Committee, replaces Hiroshi Mitsuzuka, who stepped down Wednesday over the scandal.

He takes up his new job as the country seeks to revitalise the world's second biggest economy under pressure from the United States arjd other major trading partners and as the finance ministry grapples with crisis.

Two ministry officials were arrested Monday for allegedly accepting lavish entertainment from banks in return for tip — offs and lenient treatment, triggering the departure of Mitsuzuka and the Vice Finance Minister.