TOKYO —
Japan has a new prime minister. The Diet (parliament) on Wednesday selected Shinzo Abe to again lead the country after his Liberal Democratic Party scored a solid comeback in elections this month. That ends a three-year stay in power for the Democratic Party of Japan.
Abe said his top priorities are to overcome the country's economic and diplomatic crises.
At his initial news conference, following his selection by lawmakers to lead Japan, Abe lamented that any country that gives up on economic growth has no future.
Abe said he wants to achieve results as soon as possible to earn the public's trust and avoid the fate of many of his predecessors who could barely last one year in office.
Shinzo Abe succeeds Yoshihiko Noda whose fate was sealed after the DPJ lost its control of the lower house in elections earlier this month.
It is a stunning comeback for Abe, a third-generation politician, who suddenly resigned as prime minister five years ago amid declining popularity.
Abe said medication is effectively treating the inflammatory bowel disease that compelled him to step aside just short of one year in office in 2007.
There were five prime ministers in between Abe's previous departure and his return to the post.
The Democrat Party of Japan came to power three years ago, amid a prolonged economic decline, after the electorate voted out the scandal-ridden LDP which has governed the country for most of the period since World War II.
Speaking to reporters, Abe emphasized that a closer alliance with the United States is key to stable diplomacy for Japan.
Abe's return is being viewed cautiously in East Asia. That is due to his tough talk regarding Japan's worsening territorial disputes with its neighbors, his desire to strengthen Japan's defense forces and unapologetic views on the country's harsh, 20th century colonization of part of China and the whole of the Korean peninsula.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, told reporters that Beijing is willing to make joint efforts with Tokyo “to promote healthy and stable development of Sino-Japan relations.”
Hua said China hopes “Japan can stick to the path of peaceful development and play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability of the region.”
Abe's key Cabinet appointments are giving some clues to the direction he plans to take.
His new defense minister is Itsunori Onodera, who favors stronger security ties with the United States.
Fumio Kishida is the new foreign minister. He has previous Cabinet experience dealing with Okinawa where there is widespread discontent over the long-stalled relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps air station.
To help push through a $120 billion public works and other emergency stimulus spending plan, Abe has selected former prime minister Taro Aso as finance minister. Aso will also serve as deputy prime minister.
Shinzo Abe
Shinzo Abe- 1954 Born in Tokyo, grandson of former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi
- 1977 Graduated from Seikei University
- 1993 Elected for the first time to parliament
- 2003 Became secretary-general of Liberal Democratic Party
- 2005 Appointed chief cabinet secretary
- 2006 Became prime minister, stepped down in 2007
- 2012 Elected LDP leader in September, confirmed as prime minister in December
At his initial news conference, following his selection by lawmakers to lead Japan, Abe lamented that any country that gives up on economic growth has no future.
Abe said he wants to achieve results as soon as possible to earn the public's trust and avoid the fate of many of his predecessors who could barely last one year in office.
Shinzo Abe succeeds Yoshihiko Noda whose fate was sealed after the DPJ lost its control of the lower house in elections earlier this month.
It is a stunning comeback for Abe, a third-generation politician, who suddenly resigned as prime minister five years ago amid declining popularity.
Abe said medication is effectively treating the inflammatory bowel disease that compelled him to step aside just short of one year in office in 2007.
There were five prime ministers in between Abe's previous departure and his return to the post.
The Democrat Party of Japan came to power three years ago, amid a prolonged economic decline, after the electorate voted out the scandal-ridden LDP which has governed the country for most of the period since World War II.
Speaking to reporters, Abe emphasized that a closer alliance with the United States is key to stable diplomacy for Japan.
Abe's return is being viewed cautiously in East Asia. That is due to his tough talk regarding Japan's worsening territorial disputes with its neighbors, his desire to strengthen Japan's defense forces and unapologetic views on the country's harsh, 20th century colonization of part of China and the whole of the Korean peninsula.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, told reporters that Beijing is willing to make joint efforts with Tokyo “to promote healthy and stable development of Sino-Japan relations.”
Hua said China hopes “Japan can stick to the path of peaceful development and play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability of the region.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet- Finance Minister Taro Aso - 72, was prime minister until 2009
- Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida - 55, former banker was in charged of territorial issues previous Abe government
- Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera - 52, has held key posts in defense, foreign affairs and fisheries
- Economic Revitalization Minister Akira Amari - 63, was trade and industry minister in previous Abe government
- Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi - 57, former financial services minister
His new defense minister is Itsunori Onodera, who favors stronger security ties with the United States.
Fumio Kishida is the new foreign minister. He has previous Cabinet experience dealing with Okinawa where there is widespread discontent over the long-stalled relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps air station.
To help push through a $120 billion public works and other emergency stimulus spending plan, Abe has selected former prime minister Taro Aso as finance minister. Aso will also serve as deputy prime minister.