Fukuda took office in September 2007 after Shinzo Abe’s sudden resignation, steering Japan for a year before stepping down in September 2008 amid declining approval ratings.
During his tenure, he invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit in May 2008, the first Chinese head of state in a decade, and the pair issued a joint statement on mutual strategic interests.
Even after leaving office, Fukuda remained a diplomatic bridge; in 2014 he met President Xi Jinping, paving the way for a summit between Xi and Abe during Abe’s second term.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed him as an old friend, with spokesperson Guo Jiakun saying he contributed positively to China‑Japan relations and urging current Japanese leaders to reflect deeply on his legacy.