Japan's new PM set to focus on China

TOKYO: Yasuo Fukuda, Japan's incoming prime minister, is likely to place China at the top of his foreign policy agenda and pursue a less confrontational approach on North Korea, experts say.   

On Tuesday, Fukuda will replace Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, an outspoken conservative who nonetheless helped repair relations with China which had hit rock bottom during the 2001-2006 reign of Junichiro Koizumi.   

But unlike Abe, he is believed to be a foreign policy "dove" by principle rather than pragmatism, seeking friendlier relations with a China whose rapid economic growth has alarmed many Japanese conservatives.   

"Judging from his previous statements, we know he will focus on Asian diplomacy with a particular interest in a pro-China policy," said Hidenori Ijiri, a professor of diplomacy at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.   

The son of late prime minister Takeo Fukuda, whose administration signed a landmark peace-and-friendship treaty with China in 1978, Fukuda is also known to have close contacts in China.   

Despite being Koizumi's top aide, he openly criticised the former premier for his annual visits to the Yasukuni shrine honouring war dead, which Beijing and Seoul see as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.   

A connoisseur of wine and classical music, Fukuda has cultivated friendships in Tokyo diplomatic circles, having worked closely with former US ambassador Howard Baker as well as many European diplomats.   

An aloof pragmatist with little flair for showmanship, Fukuda has said he sees the Japan-US alliance and building trilateral ties among Japan, China and South Korea as the main pillars of his foreign policy.   

In a speech last year in Indonesia, he called for striking "a new balance" in East Asia, expressing hope that China would embrace "democracy, human rights and the rule of law."   

At 71, Fukuda will be the oldest prime minister to take office since 1991, a sharp contrast to Abe, who at 53 was faulted by many as too inexperienced and resigned on September 12 as his approval ratings took a nosedive.   

Fukuda held the powerful post of chief cabinet secretary for a record four and a half years under Koizumi and his predecessor Yoshiro Mori. He was called "shadow foreign minister" for his deft management of diplomatic issues.   

"Mr Fukuda has done serious work on domestic and foreign policies as the longest serving chief cabinet secretary. He has already had his trial by fire," said Hajime Izumi, a professor at the University of Shizuoka.   

Fukuda has admitted he has yet to form concrete policies as he made a quick decision to run after Abe's sudden departure.   

But the new premier seems likely to shift from Abe's hardline policy on North Korea.   

Abe built his career campaigning against Pyongyang over its past kidnappings of Japanese civilians and, breaking with Washington, has refused to fund a six-nation aid-for-nuclear-disarmament deal reached with the North in February.   

Fukuda is likely to use both pressure and dialogue in his dealings with Pyongyang, and pay more attention to the communist state's missile and nuclear programmes along with the abductions issue, Izumi said.   

"He probably will try to strike a comprehensive solution to the issues of kidnappings, nuclear weapons and missiles, just as the Koizumi government initially tried," said Izumi, an expert on North Korea.   

Koizumi paid two landmark trips to North Korea, winning the release of five abductees and their families, although Japan says more are being held hostage.   

Despite his keen interest in diplomacy, Fukuda must at first focus on domestic issues, such as reforming the grossly mismanaged pension system.   

He also faces a battle in parliament, now partially controlled by the opposition, to extend an unpopular naval mission providing fuel for US-led forces in Afghanistan.