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Abe Named New Japanese Prime Minister

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe bows after being named Japan's new prime minister during the plenary session at the lower house of Parliament in Tokyo, December 26, 2012.

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26.12.2012

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.

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

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.

Japan's newly-named Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe smiles as he waves at the media upon his arrival at the prime minister's official residence following his election at Parliament in Tokyo, December 26, 2012.

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

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

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.

New Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (front C) and his cabinet ministers pose for a photo after their first cabinet meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, December 26, 2012.
Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe bows after being named Japan's new prime minister at the lower house of Parliament in Tokyo, December 26, 2012.
Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd R) receives a certificate from Emperor Akihito (L) as former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (2nd L) watches, during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, December 26, 2012.
Incoming Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe casts a vote at the Lower House of the Parliament in Tokyo, December 26, 2012.