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Fukuda set to be new Japanese PM Fukuda chosen as new Japanese PM
(about 2 hours later)
Japan's lower house of parliament has formally elected Yasuo Fukuda as new prime minister to replace Shinzo Abe. Japan's parliament has formally chosen Yasuo Fukuda as the new prime minister to replace Shinzo Abe.
The 71-year-old won the support of 338 lower house members, nearly 100 votes more than is needed for a majority.The 71-year-old won the support of 338 lower house members, nearly 100 votes more than is needed for a majority.
Although his appointment was rejected by the upper house, the decision of the more powerful lower house prevails under Japan's constitution.Although his appointment was rejected by the upper house, the decision of the more powerful lower house prevails under Japan's constitution.
Mr Fukuda, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) veteran, becomes Japan's oldest PM since the early 1990s.Mr Fukuda, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) veteran, becomes Japan's oldest PM since the early 1990s.
He has been chosen because the LDP wants a safe pair of hands after the party's popularity plummeted under Mr Abe, correspondents say.He has been chosen because the LDP wants a safe pair of hands after the party's popularity plummeted under Mr Abe, correspondents say.
Mr Abe officially resigned along with his entire cabinet earlier on Tuesday.Mr Abe officially resigned along with his entire cabinet earlier on Tuesday.
He has been treated in hospital for stress-related stomach problems since he quit 12 days ago, throwing the country into political confusion.He has been treated in hospital for stress-related stomach problems since he quit 12 days ago, throwing the country into political confusion.
Constitutional safeguardConstitutional safeguard
Members of the lower house of parliament - where there is an overwhelming government and coalition majority - voted first for the new prime minister.Members of the lower house of parliament - where there is an overwhelming government and coalition majority - voted first for the new prime minister.
Mr Fukuda easily beat off his closest competitor, the main opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa, in a vote that went mainly along party lines.Mr Fukuda easily beat off his closest competitor, the main opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa, in a vote that went mainly along party lines.
Mr Abe's year-long premiership was plagued with difficultiesMr Abe's year-long premiership was plagued with difficulties
"As a result, we have decided to appoint Mr Yasuo Fukuda as the prime minister," lower house speaker Yohei Kono announced."As a result, we have decided to appoint Mr Yasuo Fukuda as the prime minister," lower house speaker Yohei Kono announced.
The upper house, which the LDP lost control of in July's election, voted for Mr Ozawa over Mr Fukuda by 133-106 votes.The upper house, which the LDP lost control of in July's election, voted for Mr Ozawa over Mr Fukuda by 133-106 votes.
A joint committee of both houses must now convene to try to resolve the issue - the first time this has happened in nine years. A joint committee of both houses then met to try to resolve the issue, but failed to reach agreement.
But, says Chris Hogg, the BBC's correspondent in Tokyo, even if they do not reach agreement, Mr Fukuda will become prime minister anyway. However, the outcome of that meeting is immaterial as the decision of the lower house is regarded as final under the terms of the constitution, analysts say.
The decision of the lower house will be regarded as final under the terms of the constitution, our correspondent says. The decision on the prime minister is now expected to go back to the lower house for formal approval.
Our correspondent says Mr Fukuda has a tough task ahead of him as his party is unpopular and the opposition plans to block his legislative programme. Mr Fukuda has a tough task ahead of him as his party is unpopular and the opposition plans to block his legislative programme, the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says.
Mr Abe's formal resignation brought to an end a year-long premiership plagued by ministerial scandals, which culminated in July's disastrous upper house election losses for the LDP.Mr Abe's formal resignation brought to an end a year-long premiership plagued by ministerial scandals, which culminated in July's disastrous upper house election losses for the LDP.