JAPAN'S DIET ELECTED SHINZO ABE AS NEW PREMIER

TOKYO, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The new Japanese prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, promised to engage in dialogue with opposition parties as he laid out his agenda Monday.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Many critics of the U.S. ballistic-missile defense program claim Missile Defense Agency tests of Ground-based Mid-course Interceptors against intercontinental ballistic missile targets have been unrealistic because they have not so far factored in decoys, MIRV-ed warheads, or maneuverable ICBMs such as the latest Russian designs.

TOKYO, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The Japanese legislature Wednesday elected New Liberal Democratic Party leader Yasuo Fukuda as the country's new prime minister.

TOKYO, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Japan’s lower house of Parliament Tuesday elected Yasuo Fukuda as prime minister, virtually assuring him of the post despite a setback in the upper house.

TOKYO, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologized Monday for not disclosing health problems as the main reason in his Sept. 12 resignation announcement.

TOKYO, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Japan’s opposition parties mounted pressure Monday against Yasuo Fukuda as he prepared to take over as next prime minister, succeeding Shinzo Abe.

TOKYO, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Former government spokesman Yasuo Fukuda was overwhelmingly chosen Sunday to succeed Shinzo Abe as prime minister of Japan.

TOKYO, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Political efforts to find a successor to outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe heated up Thursday with the opposition planning to support Ichiro Ozawa.

TOKYO, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly was on intravenous drip for the sixth day Tuesday at a Tokyo hospital to treat his stomach ailment.

TOKYO, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Front-runner Yasuo Fukuda said he would seek amiable relations with other countries if picked to succeed Shinzo Abe as Japan’s prime minister.