Transparency in political funds, his primary act

Yasuo Fukuda - Ninety first premier of Japan

By Sisil Panditha

Newly appointed Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda made his first customary policy speech on Monday, October 1, at the beginning of the parliamentary session. The 91st Prime Minister of Japan had stated that his regime will cordially pursue dialogue with the opposition parties on important policy issues. His efforts and intentions are clear to get things done peacefully in the Parliament by working sincerely with the Opposition. He appealed to the Opposition to work with him to renew a controversial naval mission which supports US-led forces in Afghanistan on terror.

The Japan Maritime Self Defence Forces supply free fuel in the Indian Ocean to the US and other joint forces, ships and jets operating in the war on terror. Besides the continuation of The Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces refuelling for the US-led anti-terrorism mission, the other issues are an early resolution of North Koreans, including the past abductions of Japanese nationals. Mr. Fukuda exclaimed that abduction is a serious human rights issue. He mentioned he would approach North Korea and make possible efforts to have a better relationship, Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula from 1910-1945.

The opposition had stated that Japan should not be a part of the American war on terror. The Opposition is now holding the majority in the Upper House of Parliament, since the July 29 elections. It was a major step down by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

We have seen this situation in the Japanese Parliament during late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, majority of the Upper House with ruling Liberal Democratic Party. But Mr. Fukuda says he will exert a diplomacy in which Japan contributes towards world peace through awareness of the responsibility that befits its power and growing trust from the world. Mr. Fukuda is also the Chairman of Japan - Sri Lanka Association, since April 1993.

He is the eldest son of late politician, Takeo Fukuda, who was the 67th Prime Minister of Japan from 1976-1978. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda has been a member of Japanese Parliament since 1990.

He was the longest serving Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan and served for three and a half years (1289 days), during the rule of both Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Junichiro Koizumi. He is a very moderate politician and maintains strong links with Asia. Mr. Fukuda visited Sri Lanka in April 2006 and met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. He also visited tsunami affected areas, Sigiriya and Kandy. On his earlier visits, he was the Japanese representative for the funeral of the late President J. R. Jayewardene in 1998 and again in 2000 for the late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. He is the closest friend of Sri Lanka and attends all the Sri Lankan related festivals and functions in Japan. His wife Kyoko, two sons, Tatsuo and Shigeo and daughter, Ayako are also very fond of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Fukuda had graduated from Waseda University in Tokyo in 1959 with a degree in economics. After his university education, he commenced his career with one of the major Japanese petroleum refinery and rental companies, Maruzen Petroleum, which is now part of the Cosmo Oil Company in Japan.

He had then entered the political field where he was Chief Secretary to his father, the then Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda in 1977 to 1978. From 1979, he had become a private secretary to his father and a member of parliament till 1989.

He is committed to continue the policy of free market reform which was established by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and said that he will see to the various short-comings of the reforming policies that will make out an accurate prescription to solve each problem that has cropped up in the course of reforming the world's second largest economy which recovers from recession in the 1990s.

He made a point in his policy speech, saying that now is an age to promote safety and eliminate worries in the people's lives by departing from the product first policy, for example, to think about pension issues, doctor shortages, food safety and increasing number of illegal workers. He also expressed his willingness to return brightness to agriculture, fishery villages and strengthen smaller businesses.

Mr. Fukuda looks forward for the alliance between Japan and the United States. Part of Japan's diplomacy will strengthen proactive Asian diplomacy especially with China and South Korea. This will resonate with diplomatic efforts in Asia.

He stated that Japan and China together could contribute to peace and stability in Asia by building on mutual benefits and common interests. It is a constructive approach to Asia by forming ties with China, South Korea, Australia and India. It is a moderate approach by a recent Japanese leader. But concrete policy measurers are yet to be developed. He pledged in general terms to tackle income disparities; a key issue that the opposition has campaigned.

An important question would be how can an administration which does not have the mandate and support of the Upper House, develop strong policy measures?