Fukuda chosen to be next Japan PM
Sunday, 23 Sep 2007 08:50
Japan's next prime minister will be Yasuo Fukuda
Yasuo Fukuda is set to be approved as Japan's next prime minister after winning a crucial vote for the leadership of his party.
The 71-year-old took 330 of 528 votes from Liberal Democratic party (LDP) lawmakers, easily overcoming opposition from initial favourite Taro Aso.
As the LDP holds a strong lead in the Japanese Diet the vote appointing Mr Fukuda as prime minister on Tuesday will be a formality.
''I'm very moved... I am prepared to work with my heart and soul so that I can fully achieve this responsibility," the Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying after the vote.
The brief election campaign followed the resignation of former prime minister Shinzo Abe on September 12th.
Mr Abe was forced to undergo medical tests the day after his resignation, which followed months of pressure as a series of scandals and ministerial resignations hit his government.
The LDP's defeat in July's upper house elections also contributed to his downfall and opposition politicians are now calling on Mr Fukuda to call a snap general election, saying he has not been democratically elected.