TOKYO: Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who sought to strengthen relations with China during his tenure, has died at the age of 90, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) official said on Monday.
Fukuda died on October 22, the official said. He served as Japan’s prime minister for about a year from September 2007, succeeding Shinzo Abe, whose first term ended after 12 months.
During his tenure, Fukuda made improving relations with China a key foreign policy priority. He invited then Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit Japan, with the May 2008 trip marking the first visit by a Chinese head of state to the country in a decade.
Former Japan Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda dies at 90 https://t.co/vP4x1zDK0w
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During the visit, the two leaders issued a joint statement pledging to build a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests”.
Fukuda resigned in September 2008 as his approval ratings declined. He retired from politics in 2012. However, relations between Tokyo and Beijing continued to face challenges over an island chain dispute and historical differences.
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In 2014, Fukuda visited China for talks with President Xi Jinping, helping pave the way for a summit between Xi and Abe, who had returned to office for a second term.
Fukuda’s diplomatic efforts reflected his emphasis on maintaining dialogue and improving ties between the two Asian powers despite their longstanding disputes.
