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Abe elected as new Japan premier Abe elected as new Japan premier
(about 3 hours later)
Japan's parliament has elected Shinzo Abe as the nation's new prime minister.Japan's parliament has elected Shinzo Abe as the nation's new prime minister.
The conservative Mr Abe won 339 of 475 votes in the powerful lower house, as well as a majority in the upper house.The conservative Mr Abe won 339 of 475 votes in the powerful lower house, as well as a majority in the upper house.
He was virtually guaranteed the position, after winning last week's leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).He was virtually guaranteed the position, after winning last week's leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
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. Following his appointment, Mr Abe announced the line up of his new Cabinet.
It's the beginning of the new era under Abe Hidenao NakagawaLDP Secretary-General Abe: Political blue blood It's the beginning of the new era under Abe Hidenao NakagawaLDP Secretary-General Abe: Political blue blood href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4021&edition=1&ttl=20060926092504" class="">Have Your Say: A new era?
Indications are that he will give jobs to supporters of his predecessor's free market economic reforms and to fellow conservatives, the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says. Former defence chief Fumio Kyuma is the new Defence Minister, while Taro Aso retains his post as Foreign Minister.
He is also expected to create a new position, a minister with responsibility for dealing with North Korea over the abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s. The announcement of other cabinet posts has shed less light than many had hoped on the future direction of the Abe administration, the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says.
The Japanese people will have to wait for the new prime minister's major policy speech on Friday for further details, our correspondent adds.
Repairing relationsRepairing relations
As the results were announced, Japan's new prime minister stood up and bowed to fellow members of parliament.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."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 yearsJunichiro 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."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.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.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.
Reacting to news of Mr Abe's appointment, South Korea said Mr Koizumi's actions had "hampered amicable relations a lot". Shortly after his reappointment, Mr Aso said the government would be working towards holding summit talks with China.
"As I know, new premier Abe is a wise person," Woo Sang-ho, spokesman of the ruling Uri party, said. "If he refrains from behaviour that can make trouble with neighbouring countries it is possible to resolve problems reasonably." South Korea said it hoped Mr Abe would "refrain from behaviour" that might cause trouble with Japan's neighbours.
Rich legacy Political pedigree
Mr Abe is relatively new to politics and does not have a great deal of experience in Japan's great offices of state. His previous role, Chief Cabinet Secretary, was his first cabinet job. Mr Abe is relatively new to politics and does not have a great deal of experience in Japan's great offices of state.
His previous role, Chief Cabinet Secretary, was his first cabinet job.
But he does have an impressive political pedigree - both his grandfather and great uncle were prime ministers and his father was foreign minister.But he does have an impressive political pedigree - both his grandfather and great uncle were prime ministers and his father was foreign minister.
Mr Abe is also popular with the electorate, and appears to have been groomed by Mr Koizumi to be his successor.Mr Abe is also popular with the electorate, and appears to have been groomed by Mr Koizumi to be his successor.
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 reforms.
He tried to boost Japan's world presence, sending troops to Iraq and taking a firm line on North Korea.
With his flowing locks - 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, our correspondent says.