Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda addresses during the opening ceremony of the 21st Century Forum in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 7, 2010. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda Tuesday gave a speech at the opening ceremony of 21st Century Forum, calling for all East Asian countries to improve cooperation to confront the new challenges of the 21st century. Yasuo Fukuda said energy consumption had risen sharply in East Asia as a result of rapid economic growth in some countries. "We should work together to tackle this (energy consumption) problem." "Japan ...
Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has unexpectedly resigned in order to give his unpopular party fresh political impetus a year before the next general election.
The 72-year-old Mr Fukuda, who openly admits he lacks charisma, hopes to reverse a slump in popular support for his Liberal Democratic Party.
Since last year the party has struggled to push through its agenda over the past year after the opposition Democratic Party won control of one house of parliament.
Mr Fukuda, a political moderate who favours better relations with China and has championed a package to ...
