TOKYO –
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who became the country’s 91st prime minister in 2007 and made history as the first son of a former prime minister to hold the country’s highest political office, has died at the age of 90, leaving a legacy that includes navigating a divided parliament, advancing consumer protection reforms, and securing an international agreement on climate change at the 2008 G8 summit in Hokkaido.
Fukuda was born in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward in 1936. Before entering politics, he served as a secretary to his father, Takeo Fukuda, who was prime minister from 1976 to 1978.
He made his parliamentary debut in 1990, winning a seat in the House of Representatives as a candidate of the Liberal Democratic Party at the age of 53.
Fukuda first entered the Cabinet in 2000, serving as chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. He continued in the position under Mori’s successor, Junichiro Koizumi, eventually becoming the longest-serving chief cabinet secretary in Japanese history at the time.
In 2007, Fukuda succeeded Shinzo Abe, who had abruptly resigned as prime minister, becoming Japan’s 91st leader. His appointment marked the first time in the country’s constitutional history that both a father and son had served as prime minister.
Fukuda took office during a period of political instability, with the ruling coalition lacking a majority in the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament. The resulting divided Diet complicated efforts to pass legislation and frequently brought the government into confrontation with opposition parties.
Despite these difficulties, his administration secured passage of important legislation, including a special measures law supporting Japan’s counterterrorism operations. The bill was enacted through a second vote in the House of Representatives, overriding the upper house for the first time in 57 years.
Fukuda also worked to establish the Consumer Affairs Agency, strengthening government oversight of consumer protection, and promoted legislation to improve the management and preservation of official government documents.
One of his most significant international achievements came in July 2008, when Japan hosted the Group of Eight summit at Lake Toya in Hokkaido.
As chair of the summit, Fukuda helped bring world leaders together on an agreement addressing global warming, including long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The negotiations placed climate change among the central issues of the gathering and underscored Japan’s role in international environmental diplomacy.
However, Fukuda’s premiership lasted only about a year. Facing continued political difficulties, he unexpectedly announced his resignation, explaining that the government must not allow progress in implementing its policies to come to a halt.
His resignation brought an end to an administration that had sought to maintain legislative progress despite a divided parliament and persistent political confrontation.
Fukuda remained a member of the House of Representatives following his departure from the prime minister’s office before retiring from politics in 2012, ending a parliamentary career spanning more than two decades.
Source: TBS
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