Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda passed away on October 28 at the age of 90, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party announced Monday. Further details surrounding his death were not disclosed.
Born in 1936 in Gunma Prefecture northwest of Tokyo, Fukuda hailed from a prominent political family. His father, Takeo Fukuda, also served as prime minister and played a key role in fostering Japan’s relationship with China. Yasuo Fukuda graduated from Waseda University and spent more than 17 years working for a Japanese oil company before entering politics.
He began his political career in 1990, winning his father’s former parliamentary seat. In 2000, Fukuda was appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, a period marked by several gaffes from the prime minister during which Fukuda earned a reputation as the “secretary of explanations.” Throughout his career, he held various foreign affairs roles and developed a reputation as a skilled diplomat emphasizing the importance of fostering amicable relations with other Asian countries.
Fukuda served as prime minister from 2007 to 2008, though his tenure lasted only one year due to difficulties managing a divided parliament, with his Liberal Democratic Party controlling a majority in only one chamber. Despite the brevity of his leadership, Fukuda sought to maintain stable relations with China’s then-president Hu Jintao.
After stepping down from the premiership and retiring from politics in 2012, Fukuda continued to focus on improving Japan-China relations amid ongoing tensions over territorial disputes concerning uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. In 2014, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to encourage diplomatic engagement, helping to set the stage for then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to China. He also led political delegations to China and other Asian countries and participated in international conferences aimed at dialogue and reconciliation.
In a 2022 interview marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and China, Fukuda highlighted the dangers of reduced communication between the two nations, cautioning that misunderstandings could escalate in the absence of dialogue.
Known for his reserved demeanor and dry humor, Fukuda gained media attention in September 2008 when he resigned as prime minister. Responding to a reporter who remarked that he sounded as though speaking about someone else, Fukuda replied, “I can look at myself objectively. I’m not like you.” The phrase “I’m not like you” became a notable buzzword in Japan that year, though Fukuda declined to accept the associated award.
Yasuo Fukuda’s long career reflected a commitment to diplomacy and regional stability, continuing a political legacy that emphasized engagement and dialogue in East Asia.