Date:24/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/24/stories/2007092455421400.htm

International

Fukuda to succeed Abe

P. S. Suryanarayana

Yasuo Fukuda

SINGAPORE: A seasoned lawmaker, Yasuo Fukuda (71), is poised to succeed Shinzo Abe, who is nearly 20 years younger, as Japan’s Prime Minister.

Mr. Fukuda, son of a former Prime Minister, was on Sunday chosen president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the main constituent of Japan’s ruling coalition.

And, having earned the colours as LDP leader, he is now tipped to succeed Mr. Abe on Tuesday, when the House of Representatives, the powerful lower chamber of Diet (Parliament), will elect a new Prime Minister.

Mr. Abe had announced on September 12 his intention to quit as both the LDP president and Prime Minister. In doing so, he cited his failure to retain the trust of the people and carry forward constitutional and economic reforms.

Soon after becoming the LDP leader, Mr. Fukuda pledged to ensure a “rebirth” of the party, which lost the recent elections to the House of Councillors (upper House).

He said he would strive to “restore public’s trust” in the party and the country’s political process.

Mr. Fukuda defeated Taro Aso, 67-year-old secretary general of the LDP and a former Foreign Minister, by 330-197 votes at a party meeting in Tokyo.

LDP lawmakers and representatives of the party’s local units participated in the poll.

Mr. Aso, who had earlier lost to Mr. Abe too in the party’s race for the post of Prime Minister, said he would now cooperate with Mr. Fukuda.