Fukuda elected Japan's premier, retains most of Abe's Cabinet

Yasuo Fukuda, the new president of the Liberal Democratic Party, is congratulated by colleagues after being elected as Japan's prime minister by the Lower House in Tokyo Sept. 25, 2007. In
the vote
casting Fukuda won 338 votes out of the total of 476 valid ballots.

Yasuo Fukuda, the new president of the Liberal Democratic Party, is congratulated by colleagues after being elected as Japan's prime minister by the Lower House in Tokyo Sept. 25, 2007. In the vote casting Fukuda won 338 votes out of the total of 476 valid ballots. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

BEIJING, Sept. 26 -- Japan's new prime minister has selected veteran ministers from his predecessor's cabinet for his new cabinet. Yasuo Fukuda is promising to strengthen the LDP and improve its ability to implement the policies.

The long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party has chosen 71-year-old Fukuda as its leader to revive party fortunes after a disastrous year of scandals and an election defeat under Shinzo Abe.

Fukuda said, "Without restoring our credibility with the public, even our best plans will not be trusted by the nation. It is imperative we restore confidence in our politics."

However Fukuda's selection has raised fears of back-pedaling on efforts to reign in Japan's huge public debt. This comes as a struggling LDP, which has ruled for most of the past five decades, seeks to woo back voters. Looming large among the battles for Fukuda is one over extending beyond November 1st, a Japanese naval mission in support of U.S.-led operations. A move opposition parties do not favor.

Fukuda says he does not expect the following months to be easy.

Fukuda said, "If we make one mistake, it could mean that the Liberal Democratic party will lose control of the government. We will need to be vigilant every day in what we do."

Fukuda formed the Cabinet Tuesday. He has retained nearly all the ministers left by his predecessor Shinzo Abe.

Fukuda has made changes to the three crucial posts in the administration. Former Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura has been transferred to be chief Cabinet secretary, leaving the post to former Defense Minister Masahiko Komura. Former Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba has been appointed as defense minister.

Japan's media believe the new Cabinet is capable of tackling the tough situation since Fukuda is good at crisis management and most of his ministers are political veterans with a lot of experience.

(Source: cctv.com)