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Fukuda set to be new Japan PM | Fukuda set to be new Japan PM |
(30 minutes later) | |
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has chosen moderate lawmaker Yasuo Fukuda as its new leader and likely replacement for Shinzo Abe as PM. | Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has chosen moderate lawmaker Yasuo Fukuda as its new leader and likely replacement for Shinzo Abe as PM. |
Mr Fukuda, 71, who wants closer ties with Asian neighbours, defeated hawkish former Foreign Minister Taro Aso. | Mr Fukuda, 71, who wants closer ties with Asian neighbours, defeated hawkish former Foreign Minister Taro Aso. |
Mr Abe quit unexpectedly two weeks ago in a move that drew wide criticism. | Mr Abe quit unexpectedly two weeks ago in a move that drew wide criticism. |
His resignation followed an embarrassing defeat in Japan's upper house elections in July, and a series of political scandals. | |
Mr Fukuda won 330 of the 527 valid votes cast (63% of the ballot) against 197 for Mr Aso. | |
When parliament meets to elect a new prime minister on Tuesday, Mr Fukuda is virtually guaranteed to clinch the job because the party controls the more powerful lower house. | When parliament meets to elect a new prime minister on Tuesday, Mr Fukuda is virtually guaranteed to clinch the job because the party controls the more powerful lower house. |
'Difficult situation' | |
The bespectacled vote winner bowed to the applause of party lawmakers after the result. | |
"The LDP is facing an extremely difficult situation and I want to work first to revive the party and win back people's trust," he said. | |
KEY DIFFERENCES Fukuda (right): Urges co-operation with China and softer line on North Korea. Has also said he will not visit controversial Yasukuni war shrineAso: Conservative and foreign policy hawk who called China "threat to region" Profile: Taro Aso Profile: Yasuo Fukuda | KEY DIFFERENCES Fukuda (right): Urges co-operation with China and softer line on North Korea. Has also said he will not visit controversial Yasukuni war shrineAso: Conservative and foreign policy hawk who called China "threat to region" Profile: Taro Aso Profile: Yasuo Fukuda |
Mr Fukuda has promised to stay away from Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni war shrine, seen by many in Asia as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. | |
He wants to pursue a more conciliatory approach with Japan's neighbours China and North Korea. | |
He has also said Japan's relationship with the US will continue to be the "cornerstone" of his foreign policy. | |
And despite growing opposition at home, he plans to continue Japan's logistical support in the war in Afghanistan. | |
A member of the political elite, Mr Fukuda is the son of a prime minister from the 1970s and was former chief cabinet secretary under Mr Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi. | |
The BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says the LDP's new president was seen as the safer pair of hands between the two candidates. | |
After Shinzo Abe's messy resignation and gaffe-prone administration, party members are looking for someone who can steady the ship, our correspondent says. | After Shinzo Abe's messy resignation and gaffe-prone administration, party members are looking for someone who can steady the ship, our correspondent says. |
Mr Fukuda has pledged to trim the mammoth public debt of the world's second biggest economy. | |
He has also promised to tackle the growing income gap between poorer rural areas and wealthier urban zones. | |
His rival, Mr Aso, 67, had advocated a tough line towards North Korea and rejected changing the law to allow women to ascend the throne. | |
He also described China's growing military spend as a threat to Japan and the region. | |
Mr Abe, 52, remains in hospital after being admitted with a stress-related stomach complaint a day after his resignation. | |