Yasuo Fukuda, who served as Japan’s prime minister from 2007 to 2008, has passed away at the age of 90. A representative from the Liberal Democratic Party confirmed that the former leader died on October 22. Taking over the premiership after Shinzo Abe’s initial resignation, Fukuda is best remembered for his diplomatic efforts to thaw historically chilly relations between Tokyo and Beijing. Notably, he hosted Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2008, marking the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Japan in ten years, during which both nations pledged to foster a mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

Even after his resignation in 2008 and his formal retirement from politics in 2012, Fukuda remained a key figure in international diplomacy. He notably traveled to China in 2014 to meet with President Xi Jinping, a move that helped facilitate future high-level talks between the two nations. China’s Foreign Ministry has since honored him as an "old friend," praising his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and his sense of responsibility as a statesman. His passing comes at a time of heightened regional tension, prompting Chinese officials to contrast his diplomatic legacy with the more confrontational stance of Japan’s current leadership regarding regional security issues.