Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda Dies; China Offers Condolences Emphasizing Bilateral Ties

Yasuo Fukuda, former prime minister of Japan, died from heart failure at a Tokyo hospital on October 22, 2026 at the age of 90.

China expresses deep condolences over passing of former Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda: spokesman

Fukuda was born on July 16, 1936 in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, the eldest son of former prime minister Takeo Fukuda. After entering the House of Representatives in 1990, he served as chief cabinet secretary under Prime Ministers Yoshiro Mori and Junichiro Koizumi before becoming prime minister in September 2007 following Shinzo Abe’s resignation. His tenure lasted until September 2008.

The Straits Times

During that year, Fukuda oversaw the signing of the fourth political document between China and Japan and the 2008 China-Japan Joint Statement on All-round Promotion of Strategic Relationship of Mutual Benefit. After leaving office, he visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre and chaired the Boao Forum for Asia for several years, facilitating regional exchanges. In a 2007 visit to China, he made four explicit commitments on the Taiwan question, rejecting “two Chinas,” “one China, one Taiwan,” support for Taiwan independence, and any UN-related actions for Taiwan.

Global Times

• Birth: July 16, 1936 (Takasaki, Gunma)

Yasuo Fukuda, Former Japanese Prime Minister and Advocate for Asian Diplomacy, Dies at 90

• Death: October 22, 2026, age 90, cause heart failure

The Straits Times

• Prime-ministerial term: September 2007 – September 2008 (?1 year)

The Straits Times

• Key diplomatic actions: Fourth China-Japan political document (2008); 2008 joint statement; multiple post-premiership visits to China; chairmanship of Boao Forum for Asia

Global Times

• Guo Jiakun (Chinese Foreign Ministry): Emphasized Fukuda’s “correct view of history,” his role in signing the fourth political document, and his visits to the Nanjing Memorial Hall.

China mourns former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda

China’s condolence message links Fukuda’s personal legacy to the broader framework of the four political documents that have guided bilateral relations since the early 2000s. By urging Japan’s leadership to “reflect deeply,” Beijing signals that the principles embedded in those documents remain central to its diplomatic posture. The emphasis on Fukuda’s historical visits to the Nanjing Memorial Hall and his Taiwan commitments underscores Beijing’s expectation that future Japanese policymakers will maintain a “correct view of history” and avoid actions it deems destabilizing.

China mourns former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda

• “Following Mr Yohei Kono, we have now lost another rare politician who played a major role in promoting exchanges between Japan and China,” — Atsushi Koketsu, a professor emeritus at Yamaguchi University in Japan

Global Times