Japan's Yasuo Fukuda was chosen as prime minister by parliament's lower house today.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chose Mr Fukuda (71), a seasoned moderate, as its leader to revive party fortunes after a disastrous year of scandals and election defeat under Shinzo Abe, who resigned abruptly on September 12th.
Newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda arrives at his official residence in Tokyo today. Image: Reuters.
Mr Fukuda, a proponent of warmer ties with Japan's Asian neighbours, bowed and smiled after being voted in as prime minister by the lower house, where the ruling camp has a huge majority.
Mr Fukuda will become the oldest new prime minister since Kiichi Miyazawa assumed the office in 1991 at the age of 72, and the first son of a premier to hold the post.
Japanese media have reported that Mr Fukuda will likely retain most ministers from Mr Abe's cabinet, which was reshuffled just last month in an attempt by the outgoing premier to maintain his grip on power.
Mr Fukuda said former Foreign Minister Taro Aso, his sole rival in the LDP leadership race, declined an offer of a cabinet post but added he was still seeking his co-operation.