:Yasuo Fukuda

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Yasuo Fukuda

| native_name = {{nobold|福田康夫}}

| native_name_lang = ja

| image = Yasuo Fukuda 200709.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Official portrait, 2007

| office = Prime Minister of Japan

| term_start = 26 September 2007

| term_end = 24 September 2008

| monarch = Akihito

| predecessor = Shinzo Abe

| successor = Tarō Asō

| office1 = President of the Liberal Democratic Party

| 1blankname1 = {{nowrap|Secretary-General}}

| 1namedata1 = {{unbulleted list|Bunmei Ibuki|Tarō Asō}}

| term_start1 = 23 September 2007

| term_end1 = 22 September 2008

| predecessor1 = Shinzo Abe

| successor1 = Tarō Asō

| office2 = Chief Cabinet Secretary

| primeminister2 = Yoshirō Mori
Junichiro Koizumi

| term_start2 = 27 October 2000

| term_end2 = 7 May 2004

| predecessor2 = Hidenao Nakagawa

| successor2 = Hiroyuki Hosoda

| office3 = Member of the House of Representatives

| constituency3 = Gunma 3rd (1990–1996)
Gunma 4th (1996–2012)

| term_start3 = 18 February 1990

| term_end3 = 16 November 2012

| predecessor3 = Multi-member district

| successor3 = Tatsuo Fukuda

| majority3 = 118,517 (62.83%)

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1936|7|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Takasaki, Empire of Japan

| death_date =

| death_place =

| parents = Takeo Fukuda

| spouse = {{marriage|Kiyoko Fukuda|1966}}

| children = 1 (Tatsuo)

| party = Liberal Democratic

| alma_mater = Waseda University

}}

{{nihongo|Yasuo Fukuda|福田康夫|Fukuda Yasuo|extra=born 16 July 1936}} is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2007 to 2008. He was previously the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, serving in that role from 2000 to 2004 under Prime Ministers Yoshirō Mori and Junichiro Koizumi. His record was surpassed by Yoshihide Suga, who served almost twice as long.Keiichi Yamamura and Sachiko Sakamaki, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aY0ClrGXIrYE&refer=japan "Fukuda Challenges Aso in Race to Be Prime Minister"], Bloomberg.com, 14 September 2007.{{dead link|date=August 2024}}

Following the resignation of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, Fukuda was elected as President of the Liberal Democratic Party and became prime minister in September 2007. Fukuda was the first son of a former Japanese Prime Minister (Takeo Fukuda) to also take up the post. On 1 September 2008, Fukuda announced his resignation as party leader, and was succeeded by Taro Aso. Although Japan hosted the G8 summit meeting without mishap during Fukuda's time in office, he himself earned little or no credit from ordinary Japanese, and when he resigned, he became the first of the G8 leaders to leave office.[http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12036328 "Get someone else,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903203347/http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12036328 |date=3 September 2008 }} The Economist, 1 September 2008.

Early life

File:Yasuo Fukuda as a child.jpg

Fukuda was born in Takasaki, Gunma, the eldest son of politician (later the 67th Prime Minister) Takeo Fukuda. He grew up in Setagaya, Tokyo, attending Azabu High School and graduating from Waseda University in 1959 with a degree in economics. After university, he joined Maruzen Petroleum (now part of the Cosmo Oil Company). He was only minimally involved in politics over the next seventeen years, working his way up to section chief as a typical Japanese "salaryman". He was posted to the United States from 1962-64. While his father Takeo Fukuda was prime minister from 1976–78, Yasuo became a political secretary. From 1978 to 1989, he was a director of the Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, serving as a trustee from 1986 onward.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}{{Cite book |last=Edström |first=Bert |title=Struggle, Strife, and Stalemate: Struggle, Strife, and Stalemate: Yasuo Fukuda and Present- Yasuo Fukuda and Present-day Japanese Politics |publisher=Institute for Security and Development Policy |year=2008 |isbn=978-91-85937-23-3 |pages=17 |language=English}}

Fukuda also served as president of the Japanese Canoe Federation prior to his September 2007 election as prime minister.[http://www.canoeicf.com/?page=2131&format= Appointment of Mr. Yasuo Fukada, President of Japan Canoe Federation as Prime Minister of Japan], canoeicf.com, 26 September 2007; accessed 10 October 2009.

Political career

File:Kosei Ueno Yasuo Fukuda Junichiro Koizumi Shinzo Abe and Teijiro Furukawa 20020426.jpg, Shinzō Abe, Kōsei Ueno and Teijirō Furukawa (at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on 26 April 2002)]]

Fukuda ran for the House of Representatives in 1990 and won a seat. He was elected deputy director of the Liberal Democratic Party in 1997 and became Chief Cabinet Secretary to Yoshirō Mori in October 2000. He resigned his position as Chief Cabinet Secretary on 7 May 2004 amid a large political scandal related to the Japanese pension system.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

Fukuda was considered a contender for the leadership of the LDP in 2006, but, on 21 July, he decided that he would not seek the nomination. Instead, Shinzō Abe succeeded Junichirō Koizumi as leader of the LDP and Prime Minister of Japan. One of his most noted policy goals is to end prime ministerial visits to Yasukuni Shrine. In June 2006, Fukuda joined 134 other lawmakers in proposing a secular alternative to the shrine, citing constitutional concerns.[http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/06/16/283371/Japan_lawmakers_seek_to_replace_war_shrine.htm Japan lawmakers seek to replace war shrine], ShanghaiDaily.com, 16 June 2006.

=Election as Prime Minister=

{{Main|2007 Liberal Democratic Party (Japan) presidential election|Yasuo Fukuda Cabinet}}

File:Yasuo Fukuda 20070925.jpg by the House of Representatives (at the National Diet Building on 25 September 2007)]]

Following Abe's resignation in September 2007, Fukuda announced that he would run in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, which would also determine the prime minister, given the LDP's majority in the House of Representatives.

Fukuda received a great deal of support in his bid, including that of the LDP's largest faction, led by Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, of which Fukuda is a member. Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who initially had intended to run for the leadership, also backed Fukuda.[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/14/asia/AS-GEN-Japan-Nukaga.php "Japan's finance chief not to run for ruling party president"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013093727/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/14/asia/AS-GEN-Japan-Nukaga.php |date=13 October 2007 }}, Associated Press (International Herald Tribune), 14 September 2007. Fukuda's only competitor for the leadership, Tarō Asō, publicly acknowledged the likelihood of his own defeat a week before the election.[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/16/asia/AS-POL-Japan-Politics.php "Former FM Aso acknowledges probable defeat in Japan's leadership race"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013093732/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/16/asia/AS-POL-Japan-Politics.php |date=13 October 2007 }}, Associated Press (International Herald Tribune), 16 September 2007.

In the election, on 23 September, Fukuda defeated Aso, receiving 330 votes against Aso's 197.[http://voanews.com/english/2007-09-23-voa5.cfm "Fukuda Chosen to Replace Abe as Japan's Prime Minister"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820033055/http://voanews.com/english/2007-09-23-voa5.cfm |date=20 August 2008 }}, VOA News, 23 September 2007. Fukuda was formally elected as Japan's 91st prime minister on 25 September.{{cite web|url=http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070925p2a00m0na029000c.html |title=LDP leader Fukuda elected prime minister |date=25 September 2007 |access-date=26 September 2007 |work=Mainichi Daily News }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He received 338 votes, almost 100 more than necessary for a majority, in the House of Representatives; although the House of Councillors (the upper house), led by the opposition Democratic Party, elected Ichirō Ozawa over Fukuda by a margin of 133 to 106. This deadlock was then resolved in favor of the lower house's choice, according to Article 67 of the Constitution.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7011596.stm "Fukuda installed as Japanese PM"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925200400/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7011596.stm |date=25 September 2007 }}, BBC News, 25 September 2007.

Fukuda and his cabinet were formally sworn in by Emperor Akihito on 26 September.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7013581.stm "Japan's new leadership sworn in"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921143945/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7013581.stm |date=21 September 2011 }}, BBC News, 26 September 2007.

==Censure motion==

On 11 June 2008, a non-binding censure motion was passed by parliament's opposition-controlled upper house against Yasuo Fukuda. Filed by the Democratic Party of Japan and two other parties, it was the first censure motion against a prime minister under Japan's post-war constitution. Ahead of the G8 summit, it attacked his handling of domestic issues including an unpopular medical plan and called for a snap election or his resignation.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7447698.stm|title=Censure passed against Japan PM|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 June 2015|date=11 June 2008|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618173629/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7447698.stm|url-status=live}}[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hqbkGkgfBJBibIwxI80NR3qopwOw afp.google.com, Japan PM humiliated by parliament] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614025834/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hqbkGkgfBJBibIwxI80NR3qopwOw |date=14 June 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/11/Censure_motion_offered_against_Fukuda/UPI-54481213182357|title=Censure motion offered against Fukuda|work=UPI|access-date=7 June 2015|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618174048/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/11/Censure_motion_offered_against_Fukuda/UPI-54481213182357|url-status=live}}

==Motion of confidence ==

On 12 June, a motion of confidence was passed by the lower house's ruling coalition to counter the censure.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7449889.stm Boost for Japan's beleaguered PM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803015316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7449889.stm |date=3 August 2008 }}, bbc.co.uk; accessed 18 June 2015.

=Sudden resignation=

File:George W Bush and Yasuo Fukuda 20080706 3.jpg (at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa on 6 July 2008)]]

File:George W Bush and Yasuo Fukuda 20080708.jpg (at the 34th G8 summit on 8 July 2008)]]

On 1 September 2008, Fukuda announced his resignation, citing reasons related to improving the flow of the political process. The sudden announcement began with a call for an emergency press conference issued at 6:00 pm, The purpose not disclosed until 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the press conference. The resignation was widely compared to the sudden resignation of Abe a year earlier. Fukuda said that while Abe's resignation was for health reasons, his own resignation was motivated by a desire to remove impediments to legislative and political process due to deadlock between his party and the opposition-controlled upper house of the Diet.{{cite news|last=Kato|first=Taku|date=1 September 2008|title=Fukuda Resigns as Japan's Prime Minister Citing Gridlock|publisher=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aGE.N_ls3m14&refer=japan|access-date=1 September 2008|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022152806/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aGE.N_ls3m14&refer=japan|url-status=dead}}

The resignation led to another leadership election within the LDP. Tarō Asō was viewed as the likely front-runner to replace Fukuda, and was elected a week later.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4653861.ece|title=Login|access-date=7 June 2015|archive-date=31 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531200023/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4653861.ece|url-status=dead}} His popularity was hit by a controversial medical plan for elderly people, falling below 30% at one stage. He said:{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/01/japan.pm/|title=Beleaguered Japanese PM resigns|access-date=7 June 2015|work=CNN|date=1 September 2008|archive-date=18 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618172217/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/01/japan.pm/|url-status=live}}[http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5htuAUeVI6W0hUPZZH8gUvFh-3cLg afp.google.com, Japan PM Fukuda resigns] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520165144/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5htuAUeVI6W0hUPZZH8gUvFh-3cLg |date=20 May 2011 }}

Today, I have decided to resign. We need a new line-up to cope with a new session of parliament. My decision is based on what I thought the future political situation ought to be. The Democratic Party has tried to stall every bill so it has taken a long time to implement any policies. For the sake of the Japanese people, this should not be repeated. If we are to prioritize the people's livelihoods, there cannot be a political vacuum from political bargaining, or a lapse in policies. We need a new team to carry out policies.

Taro Aso was elected to succeed Fukuda as LDP President on 22 September. Fukuda and his cabinet resigned en masse on 24 September 2008, to make way for a new Cabinet headed by Aso. Aso was elected as prime minister by the House of Representatives on the same day.[https://archive.today/20120911191124/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24396000-2703,00.html Taro Aso confirmed as Japan's new Prime Minister], theaustralian.news.com; accessed 18 June 2015.

=Diplomacy=

In June 2014, Fukuda visited Beijing for secret meetings with Chinese government officials. The meeting was seen as the first after nearly 18 months between a senior Japanese political leader and Chinese officials. During the meeting, Fukuda was passed the message that President Xi wanted to meet with the Japanese Prime Minister Abe. Following this, in late July Fukuda conveyed the details of the discussion to Abe. On getting the consent from Abe, Fukuda returned to Beijing and on 28 July informed Xi about the consent from Abe, and thus laid the groundwork for the Japan-China summit that was held in November 2014.{{Cite web |url=http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Who-wanted-a-summit-more |title=Xi and Abe:Who wanted a summit more?- Nikkei Asian Review |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208033650/http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Who-wanted-a-summit-more |archive-date=8 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-01/ex-japan-premier-fukuda-may-have-met-xi-on-china-trip-jiji-says.html|title=Ex-Japan Premier Fukuda May Have Met Xi on China Trip, Jiji Says|author=Andy Sharp|date=1 August 2014|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=7 June 2015|archive-date=11 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111185359/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-01/ex-japan-premier-fukuda-may-have-met-xi-on-china-trip-jiji-says.html|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Fukuda met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during the 4th round of dialogue between entrepreneurs and former senior officials of China and Japan

{{Cite web|url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1603555.shtml|title=Wang Yi Meets with Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Representatives from Economic Circle of Japan|access-date=28 February 2020|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228141748/https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1603555.shtml|url-status=live}}

In July 2019, Fukuda addressed the two-day Sino-US trade relations forum in Hong Kong, attended by high-level attendees included former Chinese vice-premier Zeng Peiyan and other previous government heads and officials, as well as entrepreneurs and scholars from around the world. Fukuda urged China to seriously consider what role it wanted to play on the world stage, describing it as “the most serious issue of the era that we are faced with”...“Each step China takes not only affects relations between the United States and China, but also the entire world,” he said. {{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3017866/could-trade-war-be-chinas-golden-opportunity-transform-economy|title=Japan experience points to golden opportunity for China in US trade war|date=9 July 2019|access-date=28 February 2020|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228140921/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3017866/could-trade-war-be-chinas-golden-opportunity-transform-economy|url-status=live}}

= After Politics =

After retiring in 2012, he is now the President of the Japan-Indonesia Association. {{Cite web |last=Negara |first=Kementerian Sekretariat |title=Presiden Hargai Peran Yasuo Fukuda {{!}} Sekretariat Negara |url=https://www.setneg.go.id/baca/index/presiden_hargai_peran_yasuo_fukuda |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=www.setneg.go.id |language=en |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102025545/https://www.setneg.go.id/baca/index/presiden_hargai_peran_yasuo_fukuda |url-status=live }}

Controversies

=Statements on "Super Free"=

When Fukuda was Chief Cabinet Secretary to former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi he was reported to have made highly controversial comments during an off-the-record discussion with reporters in June 2003 regarding the victims of rape by male members of the Waseda University "Super Free" club,{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rape-debate-in-japan/|title=Rape Debate In Japan|publisher=CBS|date=2 September 2003|access-date=19 January 2008|archive-date=17 February 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040217132904/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/02/world/main571280.shtml|url-status=live}} according to an article in the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun.[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20030704a3.html "Fukuda accused of defending rape"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204212413/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20030704a3.html |date=4 February 2009 }}, Japan Times, 4 July 2003.

The magazine quoted Fukuda as saying: "There are women who look like they are saying 'Do it to me'. Those who have that kind of appearance are at fault, because men are black panthers." In response, Fukuda claimed that the Shukan Bunshun had distorted his comments, stating that he had never intended to defend rape, and told a parliamentary panel afterward that rape was "a criminal act and an atrocious crime.""[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3042316.stm Japan rape victims 'asking for it'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226172224/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3042316.stm |date=26 December 2007 }}," BBC News, 3 July 2003."[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0XPQ/is_2003_July_8/ai_104847267 Fukuda denies making remarks defending alleged gang rapists], Kyodo, 8 July 2003.

=Refueling debate=

One of the major issues during Fukuda's first months in office was the status of Japan's Indian Ocean refueling mission.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7006285.stm|title=Profile: Yasuo Fukuda|publisher=BBC|date=23 September 2007|access-date=14 June 2008|archive-date=19 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719064955/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7006285.stm|url-status=live}} After the 11 September attacks and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan, the Diet passed a bill that allowed Japanese oil tankers to provide fuel for American ships involved in military operations. When Fukuda became prime minister he vowed to continue the mission, this despite the fact that the DPJ which opposed the authorization bill now had a majority in the upper house. After several months of debate and aborted attempts at compromise the upper house rejected the bill to continue the mission. However, the bill ultimately became law as Fukuda used the LDP's 2/3 majority in the lower house to win successful passage for the bill.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011103378.html|title=Japan to Resume Its Mission in Indian Ocean|publisher=Associated Press (Washington Post)|date=12 January 2008|access-date=14 June 2008|first=Eric|last=Talmadge}}

Cabinet

Fukuda's cabinet was formed on 26 September 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/hukudadaijin/070926/index_e.html|title=Members of the Abe Cabinet|access-date=28 September 2007|archive-date=13 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013085240/http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/hukudadaijin/070926/index_e.html|url-status=live}} NB: Despite the title of the page it is indeed the list of members of Fukuda Cabinet. It was almost identical to Abe's.{{cite news|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070926a1.html|title=Fukuda elected prime minister in Diet faceoff|newspaper=The Japan Times|author=Masami Ito|date=26 September 2007|access-date=26 September 2007|archive-date=18 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718224110/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070926a1.html|url-status=live}} After his administration started, the Cabinet's approval rating continually declined. According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, in late April 2008 the disapproval rating of the Cabinet was 60 percent and the approval rating at 25 percent. Fukuda reshuffled his cabinet on 1 August 2008.{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jPdlrPqflHTM3BzECO19WFkVYgswD929IDH80 |title=Japanese prime minister reshuffles Cabinet |agency=Associated Press |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=2 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819195144/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jPdlrPqflHTM3BzECO19WFkVYgswD929IDH80 |archive-date=19 August 2008 }}

File:Yasuo Fukuda Cabinet 20070926.jpg on 26 September 2007)]]

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"
Secretary \| Nobutaka Machimura
Internal Affairs \| Hiroya Masuda
Justice \| Kunio Hatoyama
Foreign Affairs \| Masahiko Kōmura
Finance \| Fukushiro Nukaga
Education \| Kisaburo Tokai
Health \| Yōichi Masuzoe
Agriculture \| Masatoshi Wakabayashi
Economy \| Akira Amari
Land \| Tetsuzo Fuyushiba
Environment \| Ichirō Kamoshita
Defense \| Shigeru Ishiba
Public Safety, Disaster Prevention \| Shinya Izumi
Economic Policy \| Hiroko Ōta
Financial Services, Administrative Reform \| Yoshimi Watanabe
Okinawa and Northern Territories, Technology Policy, Regulatory Reform \| Fumio Kishida
Population, Youth and Gender Equality \| Yōko Kamikawa

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"

| Masatoshi Wakabayashi

Public Safety,
Disaster Prevention

| Shinya Izumi

Economic Policy

| Hiroko Ōta

Financial Services,
Administrative Reform

| Yoshimi Watanabe

Okinawa and Northern Territories,
Technology Policy,
Regulatory Reform

| Fumio Kishida

Population, Youth and Gender Equality

| Yōko Kamikawa

Gallery

File:Yasuo Fukuda at fundraising October 2004 cropped.jpg|Fukuda at his fundraising party in October 2004

File:Fukuda meets Bush 16 November 2007.jpg|Fukuda and US president George W. Bush exchange handshakes following their joint statement at the White House, November 16, 2007

File:Fukuda meets Bush in Oval Office 16 November 2007.jpg|Fukuda and US president George W. Bush exchange handshakes following their first meeting at the White House

File:Robert M. Gates meets with Yasuo Fukuda.jpg|Robert Gates meets with Yasuo Fukuda

Decorations

In March 2008, Croatian president Stjepan Mesić presented Fukuda with the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with the Sash and the Croatian Morning Star.{{cite news|title=President Mesić meets Japanese Emperor Akihito |date=5 March 2008 |publisher=HINA |url=http://www.predsjednik.hr/default.asp?ru=2&gl=200803060000003&sid=&jezik=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202174510/http://www.predsjednik.hr/default.asp?ru=2&gl=200803060000003&sid=&jezik=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2009 |access-date=10 March 2008 }} The decoration was given to Fukuda for his efforts in promoting friendly relations between Japan and Croatia.{{cite news | title=Japan-Croatia Summit Meeting | date=5 March 2008 | publisher=Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet | url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/hukudaphoto/2008/03/05croatia_e.html | access-date=10 March 2008 | archive-date=24 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124135306/http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/hukudaphoto/2008/03/05croatia_e.html | url-status=live }}