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Nationalist Shinzo Abe Elected Prime Minister of Japan
Tuesday, September 26, 2006

TOKYO — Nationalist Shinzo Abe easily won election in parliament to become Japan's youngest postwar prime minister Tuesday, pledging to plow ahead with economic reform, rein in spending and pursue better relations with China.

Abe, 52, a proponent of a robust alliance with the United States and a more assertive Japanese military, clinched strong majorities in both houses of parliament, reflecting the hold his ruling Liberal Democratic Party has on government.

The new prime minister stocked his new Cabinet with a wide range of fellow conservatives, including Taro Aso, who will keep his post as foreign minister, and veteran Fumio Kyuma, appointed to a second stint as defense chief.

"I'd like to make Japan a country that abounds with dynamism, opportunity and kindness," Abe declared in nationally televised comments.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,215737,00.html