Fukuda Resigns

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced his resignation on September 1, 2008. He cited a political impasse resulting from a majority opposition in the parliament as the cause of his retirement.¹ Fukuda was struggling to pass tax cuts and other economical laws, but grievances within the ruling coalition as well as in the upper house of the parliament prevented the legislation. Low approval ratings contributed to the general lack of support for his government.²

Fast Facts

Served less than one year in office¹

Led the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan¹

Yasuo Fukuda is 72 years old¹

Suffered from low popularity throughout his time in office¹

Fukuda's predecessor, Shinzo Abe, also served only 12 months¹

Approval ratings were below 30% for the last several months²

September 2009 is the last date for the next general election²

Yasuo Fukuda Quotes

"The power struggle in parliament has caused me many headaches. I have tried to talk things through with the opposition, but they have voted against every single important government bill."—The Guardian¹

"We can't allow progress to be stalled further, we must not create a political vacuum. Policy must be allowed to move forward so I have decided to step down as prime minister."—The Guardian¹

"I believe that now is the appropriate time as it will not inconvenience the Japanese people. The Japanese economy and Japanese people's livelihoods are at stake."—The Guardian¹