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extra=born 16 July 1936 is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2007 to 2008. He was previously the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving in that role from 2000 to 2004 under Prime Ministers Yoshirō Mori and Junichiro Koizumi. His record was surpassed by Yoshihide Suga, who served almost twice as long.Keiichi Yamamura and Sachiko Sakamaki, "Fukuda Challenges Aso in Race to Be Prime Minister", Bloomberg.com, 14 September 2007.
Following the resignation of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, Fukuda was elected as President of the Liberal Democratic Party and became prime minister in September 2007. Fukuda was the first son of a former Japanese Prime Minister (Takeo Fukuda) to also take up the post. On 1 September 2008, Fukuda announced his resignation as party leader, and was succeeded by Taro Aso. Although Japan hosted the G8 summit meeting without mishap during Fukuda's time in office, he himself earned little or no credit from ordinary Japanese, and when he resigned, he became the first of the G8 leaders to leave office. "Get someone else," The Economist, 1 September 2008.
Fukuda also served as president of the Japanese Canoe Federation prior to his September 2007 election as prime minister. Appointment of Mr. Yasuo Fukada, President of Japan Canoe Federation as Prime Minister of Japan, canoeicf.com, 26 September 2007; accessed 10 October 2009.
Fukuda was considered a contender for the leadership of the LDP in 2006, but, on 21 July, he decided that he would not seek the nomination. Instead, Shinzō Abe succeeded Junichirō 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. Japan lawmakers seek to replace war shrine, ShanghaiDaily.com, 16 June 2006.
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. Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who initially had intended to run for the leadership, also backed Fukuda. "Japan's finance chief not to run for ruling party president" , Associated Press ( International Herald Tribune), 14 September 2007. Fukuda's only competitor for the leadership, Tarō Asō, publicly acknowledged the likelihood of his own defeat a week before the election. "Former FM Aso acknowledges probable defeat in Japan's leadership race" , Associated Press ( International Herald Tribune), 16 September 2007.
In the election, on 23 September, Fukuda defeated Aso, receiving 330 votes against Aso's 197. "Fukuda Chosen to Replace Abe as Japan's Prime Minister" , VOA News, 23 September 2007. Fukuda was formally elected as Japan's 91st prime minister on 25 September. 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 Ichirō 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. "Fukuda installed as Japanese PM" , BBC News, 25 September 2007.
Fukuda and his cabinet were formally sworn in by Emperor Akihito on 26 September. "Japan's new leadership sworn in" , BBC News, 26 September 2007.
The resignation led to another leadership election within the LDP. Tarō Asō was viewed as the likely front-runner to replace Fukuda, and was elected a week later. His popularity was hit by a controversial medical plan for elderly people, falling below 30% at one stage. He said: afp.google.com, Japan PM Fukuda resigns
Taro Aso was elected to succeed Fukuda as LDP President on 22 September. Fukuda and his cabinet resigned en masse on 24 September 2008, to make way for a new Cabinet headed by Aso. Aso was elected as prime minister by the House of Representatives on the same day. Taro Aso confirmed as Japan's new Prime Minister, theaustralian.news.com; accessed 18 June 2015.
In July 2019, Fukuda addressed the two-day Sino-US trade relations forum in Hong Kong, attended by high-level attendees included former Chinese vice-premier Zeng Peiyan and other previous government heads and officials, as well as entrepreneurs and scholars from around the world. Fukuda urged China to seriously consider what role it wanted to play on the world stage, describing it as “the most serious issue of the era that we are faced with”...“Each step China takes not only affects relations between the United States and China, but also the entire world,” he said.
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 afterward that rape was "a criminal act and an atrocious crime."" Japan rape victims 'asking for it' ," BBC News, 3 July 2003." Fukuda denies making remarks defending alleged gang rapists, Kyodo, 8 July 2003.
Censure motion
On 11 June 2008, a non-binding censure motion was passed by parliament's opposition-controlled upper house against Yasuo Fukuda. Filed by the Democratic Party of Japan and two other parties, it was the first censure motion against a prime minister under Japan's post-war constitution. Ahead of the G8 summit, it attacked his handling of domestic issues including an unpopular medical plan and called for a snap election or his resignation. afp.google.com, Japan PM humiliated by parliament
Motion of confidence
On 12 June, a motion of confidence was passed by the lower house's ruling coalition to counter the censure. Boost for Japan's beleaguered PM , bbc.co.uk; accessed 18 June 2015.
Sudden resignation
On 1 September 2008, Fukuda announced his resignation, citing reasons related to improving the flow of the political process. The sudden announcement began with a call for an emergency press conference issued at 6:00 pm, with the purpose not disclosed until 10 minutes prior to its scheduled start. The resignation was widely compared to the sudden resignation of Abe a year earlier. Fukuda said that while Abe's resignation was for health reasons, his own resignation was motivated by a desire to remove impediments to legislative and political process due to deadlock between his party and the opposition-controlled upper house of the Diet.
Today, I have decided to resign. We need a new line-up to cope with a new session of parliament. My decision is based on what I thought the future political situation ought to be. The Democratic Party has tried to stall every bill so it has taken a long time to implement any policies. For the sake of the Japanese people, this should not be repeated. If we are to prioritize the people's livelihoods, there cannot be a political vacuum from political bargaining, or a lapse in policies. We need a new team to carry out policies.
Diplomacy
In June 2014, Fukuda visited Beijing for secret meetings with Chinese government officials. The meeting was seen as the first after nearly 18 months between a senior Japanese political leader and Chinese officials. During the meeting, Fukuda was passed the message that President Xi Jinping wanted to meet with the Japanese Prime Minister Abe. Following this, in late July Fukuda conveyed the details of the discussion to Abe. On getting the consent from Abe, Fukuda returned to Beijing and on 28 July informed Xi about the consent from Abe, and thus laid the groundwork for the Japan-China summit that was held in November 2014.
In 2018, Fukuda met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during the 4th round of dialogue between entrepreneurs and former senior officials of China and Japan
After Politics
After retiring in 2012, he is now the President of the Japan-Indonesia Association.
Controversies
Statements on "Super Free"
When Fukuda was Chief Cabinet Secretary to former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi he was reported to have made highly controversial comments during an off-the-record discussion with reporters in June 2003 regarding the victims of rape by male members of the Waseda University "Super Free" club, according to an article in the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun. "Fukuda accused of defending rape" , Japan Times, 4 July 2003.
Refueling debate
One of the major issues during Fukuda's first months in office was the status of Japan's Indian Ocean refueling mission. After the 11 September attacks and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan, the Diet passed a bill that allowed Japanese oil tankers to provide fuel for American ships involved in military operations. When Fukuda became prime minister he vowed to continue the mission, this despite the fact that the DPJ which opposed the authorization bill now had a majority in the upper house. After several months of debate and aborted attempts at compromise the upper house rejected the bill to continue the mission. However, the bill ultimately became law as Fukuda used the LDP's 2/3 majority in the lower house to win successful passage for the bill.
Cabinet
Fukuda's cabinet was formed on 26 September 2007. NB: Despite the title of the page it is indeed the list of members of Fukuda Cabinet. It was almost identical to Abe's. After his administration started, the Cabinet's approval rating continually declined. According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, in late April 2008 the disapproval rating of the Cabinet was 60 percent and the approval rating at 25 percent. Fukuda reshuffled his cabinet on 1 August 2008.
Gallery
Decorations
In March 2008, Croatian president Stjepan Mesić presented Fukuda with the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with the Sash and the Croatian Morning Star. The decoration was given to Fukuda for his efforts in promoting friendly relations between Japan and Croatia.
See also
External links
Categories: 1936 Births, Living People, 21st-century Prime Ministers Of Japan, Azabu High School Alumni, Children Of Prime Ministers Of Japan, Government Ministers Of Japan, Liberal Democratic Party Politicians, Presidents Of The Liberal Democratic Party, Liberal Democratic Party Prime Ministers Of Japan, People From Takasaki, Gunma, Politicians From Gunma Prefecture, Waseda University Alumni, Members Of The House Of Representatives 2003–2005, Members Of The House Of Representatives 2005–2009, Members Of The House Of Representatives 2009–2012
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