TOKYO -- With Keizo Obuchi on life support after suffering a massive stroke, Yoshiro Mori was sworn in as Japan's new prime minister Wednesday in a handover that was not expected to significantly change Japan's national policies.
Mori, a former trade minister, won solid majorities in both houses of Parliament following his installment earlier in the day as president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Obuchi held both posts but has been in a coma since Sunday."I had prayed for the prime minister's recovery," Mori said in accepting the party presidency. "I will do my best to live up to the nation's expectations."
Mori said his greatest task will be to continue Obuchi's efforts to bring Japan's economy out of its decadelong slump. He vowed to stick with the economic and political reform initiatives advocated by Obuchi, which have included opening the economy to foreign investment.
In a tearful news conference Tuesday, acting Prime Minister Mikio Aoki announced the Cabinet had resigned because it was clear the 62-year-old Obuchi would not be able to resume his duties.
That paved the way for Mori to assume the country's top post.
Mori needed 245 votes for a majority in the lower house, and received 335. A total of 488 votes were cast. In the upper house, Mori won 137 of 244 votes.
Hours later, Mori and his Cabinet -- which was the same as Obuchi's, with only the top spot changed -- were sworn in by Emperor Akihito.
There were signs of a slight improvement in Obuchi's condition today, said an aide to Tamisuke Watanuki, one of Obuchi's closest allies. The aide said movement had been detected in Obuchi's hand.
But Aoki said hospital officials reported no change. Obuchi remained in intensive care, joined by his wife, Chizuko, his three children and his brother.
Though the news of Obuchi's sudden illness was a shock, and revelations of the government's failure to disclose it for nearly a day generated a good deal of anger, the election of Mori Wednesday was met with a calm reaction on the street and in financial markets.
"I think he is more of a stand-in than anything else," said Makoto Wada, a 36-year-old salesman. "I don't think he will accomplish much."
Mori emerged as the most viable replacement as soon as it became clear Obuchi's condition was grave. As LDP secretary-general, Mori was the party's second-in-command after Obuchi and has a solid power base.
A former journalist and trade minister, Mori, who like Obuchi is 62, is considered a conservative with considerable political savvy. But he is outspoken and has a tainted past -- he was one of many politicians linked to an influence-peddling scandal in the late 1980s.
He is also not known for being strong on international affairs -- a point on which he will soon be put to the test.
In addition, the new leader will have a full plate of domestic issues.
The crisis came as a continuing volcanic eruption in northern Japan left 13,000 people in emergency shelters. Concerns were also being raised about the LDP's ruling alliance, which began to unravel just before Obuchi's stroke.
Immediately after being elected, Mori began discussions with coalition leaders.
Mori's administration will also be getting under way amid criticism of the government's failure to disclose Obuchi's collapse for nearly a day. Officials initially provided false information indicating Obuchi was fine, then only grudgingly announced he was hospitalized.
One of Obuchi's main concerns before his collapse was a reform of the national police force prompted by a scandal over how police had lied to the media about their handling of a kidnapping.
Obuchi became prime minister in July 1998 and proved an effective leader, helping stimulate the economy, boosting his party's dominant position in parliament and championing legislation that strengthened Japan's security role in Asia.