The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chose the 71-year-old Fukuda as its leader to revive party fortunes after a disastrous year of scandals and election defeat under Shinzo Abe, who resigned abruptly on September 12.

The bespectacled Fukuda, a proponent of warmer ties with Japan’s Asian neighbours, bowed and smiled after being voted in as Prime Minister by the Lower House, where the ruling camp has a huge majority. In a sign of the battles ahead, the Opposition-controlled Upper House voted for Ichiro Ozawa, 65, leader of the main Opposition Democratic Party, but the vote was overruled by the more powerful lower chamber.

Fukuda, due to pick his cabinet later in the day, told reporters that he wanted to discuss vital policy matters with the Democrats and other Opposition parties.

“I want to have dignified discussions with the aim of protecting the people’s livelihoods and the national interests,” he told reporters.

The typically bland but occasionally testy Fukuda is the oldest new prime minister since Kiichi Miyazawa assumed the office in 1991 at the age of 72, and the first son of a premier to hold the post.Japanese media have reported that Fukuda will likely retain most ministers.