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Abe elected as new Japan premier Abe elected as new Japan premier
(20 minutes later)
Japan's lower house of parliament has elected Shinzo Abe as the country's new prime minister. Japan's parliament has elected Shinzo Abe as the nation's new prime minister.
The upper house is expected to vote likewise later in the day. The conservative Mr Abe won 339 of 475 votes in the powerful lower house, as well as a majority in the upper house.
Mr Abe was virtually guaranteed the position, after winning last week's leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. He was virtually guaranteed the position, after winning last week's leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
At 52, he will be Japan's youngest prime minister since World War II, replacing the flamboyant but straight-talking Junichiro Koizumi.At 52, he will be Japan's youngest prime minister since World War II, replacing the flamboyant but straight-talking Junichiro Koizumi.
Mr Abe will announce his Cabinet later on Tuesday.Mr Abe will announce his Cabinet later on Tuesday.
As the results were announced, Japan's new prime minister stood up and bowed to fellow members of parliament.
"It's the beginning of the new era under Abe," LDP Secretary-General Hidenao Nakagawa told Japanese media.
Junichiro Koizumi was in power for more than five years"I hope those who voted for Abe will join hands to achieve our political goals," he said.
Mr Abe has pushed for policies including a tight alliance with the US, the revision of Japan's pacifist constitution and a more assertive foreign policy.
But correspondents say one of his first challenges will be to repair relations with China and South Korea, who have been angered by Mr Koizumi's annual visits to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine.
Rich legacy
Junichiro Koizumi held the premiership for more than five years, and will be remembered mainly for his economic reforms.
He came to power in 2001, promising to transform the country's political landscape, and saying he would even destroy his own party - the LDP - if that was what was needed to push through much-needed reforms.
He tried to boost Japan's world presence, sending troops to Iraq and taking a firm line on North Korea.
The BBC correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Hogg, says that with his flowing locks - so admired by many Japanese women - the divorced and single Mr Koizumi offered the electorate a change from the grey men they had been used to.