FORMER Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda, known for his efforts to foster stable relations with China, has died at the age of 90, a ruling party official said on Monday.
Fukuda died on Oct 22, the official from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) told AFP.
He led Japan for about a year from September 2007 after succeeding the late Shinzo Abe, whose first term as prime minister also lasted only 12 months.
During his tenure, Fukuda worked to improve ties with China and invited then Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit Japan.
Hu’s visit in May 2008 made him the first Chinese head of state to visit Japan in a decade. The two leaders issued a joint statement pledging to build mutually beneficial relations based on shared strategic interests.
Fukuda resigned in September 2008 amid falling public approval ratings and retired from politics in 2012.
As relations between Tokyo and Beijing later grew increasingly strained over a disputed island chain and historical issues, Fukuda visited China in 2014 for talks with President Xi Jinping.
The visit helped pave the way for a summit between Xi and Abe, who had returned for a second stint as prime minister. - October 26, 2026
