Nationalist Shinzo Abe, a proponent of a tight alliance with the United States and a more assertive military, won election as Japan's new prime minister Tuesday, scoring comfortable majorities in both houses.
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Abe, at 52 Japan's youngest postwar prime minister, has pushed for a continued close relationship with top ally the United States, revision of the pacifist constitution, a more robust Japanese foreign policy, and patriotic teaching in public schools.
"It's the beginning of the new era under Abe," ruling party secretary-general Hidenao Nakagawa told national broadcaster NHK. "I hope those who voted for Abe will join hands to achieve our political goals."
Koizumi's Cabinet resigned en masse Tuesday morning as a procedural move to pave the way for the new government. Following the parliamentary vote, Abe was to name his Cabinet picks and present himself before Emperor Akihito.
Koizumi left the Prime Minister's Office with a bouquet of flowers in his hands as supporters cheered, ending more than five years in office marked by far-reaching changes such as passage of legislation to privatize the postal service.
"There is no end to reform," Koizumi said in a parting statement. "I hope that the public will work with the new prime minister to believe in Japan's future and continue the reform with courage and hope."
Abe signaled the primary directions of his government on Monday by choosing a pro-growth fiscal conservative and a fellow nationalist Cabinet minister to two top posts in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the AP reports.
The relatively youthful nationalist will take office as momentum builds for repairing Tokyo's frayed ties with Asian neighbors China and South Korea.
Japan and China held vice-ministerial talks this week and Abe's aides say they are working behind the scenes to quickly set up a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao - the first meeting between Japanese and Chinese leaders since April 2005.
Abe takes office with relatively little experience in government. Shinzo Abe, chosen by Parliament on Tuesday as Japan's next prime minister, comes from a line of high-profile politicians - and it shows in his ambitions and policies.
Abe, 52, is son of the late Shintaro Abe, who rose to be foreign minister in 1982, but never realized the goal of becoming prime minister.
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