Fukuda hopes Aso to live up to people's expectations+

TOKYO, Sept. 22 Kyodo - Outgoing Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda voiced hope Monday that new Liberal Democratic Party President Taro Aso will work hard to live up to people's expectations.

At a press conference, possibly his last as premier, Fukuda also suggested he
will seek a seventh term as a member of the House of Representatives in the
next general election expected to be called later this year.
''Mr. Aso won as many expected...I want him to become an LDP president who can
thoroughly live up to the expectations of people nationwide,'' including those
in local communities, Fukuda told reporters two days before he resigns as prime
minister on Wednesday.
Fukuda did not disclose whom he voted for in the party presidential election
earlier in the day.
Regarding his own candidacy in the next lower house election, Fukuda, 72, said,
''I haven't said I do not intend to run. That is usually assumed to mean I will
run. Don't you think so? Use your common sense.''
Looking back on his time as premier since Sept. 25 last year, Fukuda simply
said, ''I dealt with various matters carefully and gave them thorough
consideration.''
Aso scored a landslide victory, defeating other four contenders in the LDP
leader election Monday, and is be to be elected Japan's next prime minister on
Wednesday.