Former Japanese PM Fukuda, known for strengthening ties with China, dies at 90

KYODO NEWS

- Oct 26, 2026 - 18:21 All,Japan

File photo taken on March 31, 2008, shows Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda speaking during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. Fukuda, who served as Japan's prime minister from September 2007 to September 2008 and is known for strengthening ties between Japan and China, died on Oct. 22, 2026, aged 90. (Kyodo)

File photo taken in November 2007 shows U.S. President George W. Bush (foreground) and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda holding a press conference after their summit at the White House in Washington. (Kyodo)

File photo taken in December 2007 shows Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (R) and Chinese President Hu Jintao shaking hands ahead of their talks in Beijing. (Kyodo)

File photo taken in December 2007 shows Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (R) and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao posing for a photo after playing catch at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse gymnasium in Beijing. Fukuda, who served as Japan's prime minister from September 2007 to September 2008 and is known for strengthening ties between Japan and China, died on Oct. 22, 2026, aged 90.(Kyodo)

File photo taken on Oct. 29, 2014 shows former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (front, L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (front, R) posing for a photo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Fukuda, who served as Japan's prime minister from September 2007 to September 2008 and is known for strengthening ties between Japan and China, died on Oct. 22, 2026, aged 90. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

File photo taken in April 2008 shows Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shaking hands ahead of their talks at the official presidential residence in the suburbs of Moscow. Fukuda, who served as Japan's prime minister from September 2007 to September 2008 and is known for strengthening ties between Japan and China, died on Oct. 22, 2026, aged 90. (Kyodo)

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, known for strengthening ties between Japan and China but who struggled to manage affairs in a divided Diet during his one-year stint through September 2008, has died, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Monday. He was 90.Sources familiar with the matter said the former prime minister died in Tokyo on Thursday from heart failure. A funeral was held privately for close family members only, with a public memorial service to take place at a later date.Fukuda visited China three months after becoming prime minister in September 2007 and invited t…READ FULL ARTICLE

Former Japanese PM Fukuda, known for strengthening ties with China, dies at 90

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