Yasuo Fukuda
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Categories: 1936 births | Living people | Japanese politicians | People from Gunma Prefecture | Waseda University alumni | Current national leaders | Prime Ministers of Japan
Yasuo Fukuda (福田 康夫 Fukuda Yasuo?, born July 16, 1936) is the 91st Prime Minister of Japan and the president of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan. He was appointed to both the posts in September 2007, following Shinzo Abe's abrupt resignation. Fukuda was the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving for three and half years under Prime Ministers Yoshiro Mori and Junichiro Koizumi.[1] He is the first son of a former prime minister (Takeo Fukuda) to also take up the post.
Early lifeFukuda was born in Takasaki, Gunma, the eldest son of politician (later the 67th Prime Minister) Takeo Fukuda.[1] He grew up in Setagaya, Tokyo, attending Azabu High School and graduating from Waseda University in 1959 with a degree in economics. After university, he joined Maruzen Petroleum (now part of the Cosmo Oil Company). He was only minimally involved in politics over the next seventeen years, working his way up to section chief as a typical Japanese "salaryman". He was posted to the United States from 1962 to 1964. While his father Takeo Fukuda was prime minister from 1976 to 1978, Yasuo became a political secretary. From 1978 to 1989, he was a director of the Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, serving as a trustee from 1986 onward. Political careerFukuda ran for the House of Representatives in 1990 and won a seat.[1] He was elected deputy director of the Liberal Democratic Party in 1997 and became Chief Cabinet Secretary to Yoshiro Mori in October 2000. He resigned his position as Chief Cabinet Secretary on May 7, 2004 amid a large political scandal related to the Japanese pension system. Fukuda was considered a contender for the leadership of the LDP in 2006, but on July 21 he decided that he would not seek the nomination. Instead, Shinzo Abe succeeded Junichiro Koizumi as leader of the LDP and Prime Minister of Japan. One of his most noted policy goals is to end prime ministerial visits to Yasukuni Shrine. In June 2006, Fukuda joined 134 other lawmakers in proposing a secular alternative to the shrine, citing constitutional concerns.[2] ControversyWhen Fukuda was Chief Cabinet Secretary to former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Super Free rape incident was revealed, he was reported to have made highly controversial comments[3] regarding victims of rape during an off-the-record discussion with reporters during June 2003, according to an article in the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun.[4] The magazine quoted Fukuda as saying: "There are women who look like they are saying 'Do it to me'. Those who have that kind of appearance are at fault, because men are black panthers." In response, Fukuda claimed that the Shukan Bunshun had distorted his comments, stating that he had never intended to defend rape, and told a parliamentary panel afterwards that rape was "a criminal act and an atrocious crime".[5][6] Election as Prime MinisterFollowing Abe's resignation in September 2007, Fukuda announced that he would run in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, which would also determine the prime minister, given the LDP's majority in the House of Representatives. Fukuda received a great deal of support in his bid, including that of the LDP's largest faction, led by Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, of which Fukuda is a member.[1] Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who initially had intended to run for the leadership, also backed Fukuda.[7] Fukuda's only competitor for the leadership, Taro Aso, publicly acknowledged the likelihood of his own defeat a week before the election.[8] In the election, on September 23, Fukuda defeated Aso, receiving 330 votes against Aso's 197.[9] Fukuda was formally elected as Japan's 91st prime minister on September 25.[10] He received 338 votes, almost 100 more than necessary for a majority, in the House of Representatives; although the House of Councillors (the upper house), led by the opposition Democratic Party, elected Ichiro Ozawa over Fukuda by a margin of 133 to 106. This deadlock was then resolved in favor of the lower house's choice, according to Article 67 of the Constitution.[10][11] Fukuda and his cabinet were formally sworn in by Emperor Akihito on September 26.[12] CabinetImage:Fukuda meets Bush 16 November 2007.jpg
Fukuda (left) and United States President George W. Bush (right) exchange handshakes following their joint statement at the White House, November 16, 2007.
Fukuda's cabinet was formed on September 26, 2007.[13] It was almost identical to Abe's.[14]
Gallery
DecorationsIn March of 2008, Croatian President Stjepan Mesić presented Fukuda with the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with the Sash and the Croatian Morning Star.[15] The decoration was given to Fukuda for his efforts in promoting friendly relations between Japan and Croatia.[16] References
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