Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda dies at 90

Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who led Japan from 2007-08 and sought to strengthen ties with China during his brief tenure and after, died Thursday at the age of 90, his son announced Monday.

Further details surrounding his death were not immediately available.

Fukuda, the son of former Japanese leader Takeo Fukuda, became the country’s first second-generation prime minister when he assumed office in September 2007, succeeding Shinzo Abe following his abrupt resignation.  

On the diplomatic front, he sought to improve relations with China, hosting then-President Hu Jintao on a state visit in May 2008. The two leaders issued a joint statement pledging to bolster what they called a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.”

Fukuda also chaired the Group of Eight summit in Hokkaido in July of that year, where leaders adopted a global goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050, placing climate change as one of the grouping’s core agenda items.

At home, his administration helped secure legislation providing compensation to people infected with hepatitis C through contaminated blood products, following years of litigation. Fukuda personally apologized to the victims on two separate occasions during his premiership.  

He also laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Consumer Affairs Agency, seeking to strengthen consumer protection after a series of food safety scandals. It was eventually formed in 2009 after he left office.

Before becoming prime minister, Fukuda served as chief cabinet secretary under Prime Ministers Yoshiro Mori and Junichiro Koizumi. He was first elected to the Lower House in 1990, representing a constituency in Gunma Prefecture, and retired from politics in 2012.