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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| Fukuda set to be new Japan PM | Fukuda set to be new Japan PM |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has chosen moderate lawmaker Yasuo Fukuda as its new leader and likely successor to Shinzo Abe as PM. | Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has chosen moderate lawmaker Yasuo Fukuda as its new leader and likely successor to 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. | 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. | 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' | 'Difficult situation' |
| The bespectacled vote winner bowed solemnly to the applause of party lawmakers after the result. | The bespectacled vote winner bowed solemnly 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. | "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" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7009181.stm">Busy in-tray awaits leader Profile: Yasuo Fukuda Send us your comments | |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | He also described China's growing military spend as a threat to Japan and the region. |
| Mr Abe, 53, remains in hospital after being admitted with a stress-related stomach complaint a day after his resignation. | Mr Abe, 53, remains in hospital after being admitted with a stress-related stomach complaint a day after his resignation. |