TOKYO, 24 September 2007 — Japan’s ruling party yesterday chose centrist political veteran Yasuo Fukuda as the country’s next prime minister, seeking safe hands after a disastrous year under conservative Shinzo Abe.
Fukuda, 71, a dour-looking behind-the-scenes operator who openly admits he lacks charisma, easily fended off a challenge from hawkish former Foreign Minister Taro Aso in the race to lead the world’s second largest economy.
Wearing his usual gray suit, Fukuda bowed before members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which he acknowledged was facing “huge difficulties.” “I want the LDP to be born again so it regains the public trust and is able to steadfastly carry out policies,” Fukuda said. Fukuda quickly reached out to the opposition, which won control of one house of Parliament in a landmark election victory in July and vowed to press the incoming prime minister to call a snap general poll.
Holding a news conference later yesterday, Fukuda called for dialogue with the opposition on extending a naval mission supporting US-led forces in Afghanistan, an issue on which Abe had staked his job.
Fukuda will be Japan’s oldest prime minister on entering office since 1991, a stark contrast to the 53-year-old Abe, who was Japan’s youngest leader in recent times and faced criticism that he was too inexperienced.
