Well, it's official. Yasuo Fukuda is now the new Prime Minister of Japan. The 71 year old man will now be the head of the Japanese government. The election in the Diet didn't run smoothly, as the House of Councillors named Ichiro Ozawa as their candidate.

A joint committee meeting comprising representatives from both houses was held to discuss the matter in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution. After the panel failed to reach agreement, Fukuda became prime minister. Article 67 stipulates that if both houses name different candidates as prime minister, the candidate elected by the Lower House becomes prime minister if the joint committee fails to reach any agreement on the election.

Now that Fukuda is in office, he's gone ahead and named all his cabinet members. Taro Aso resigned, and didn't want to be a part of Fukuda's cabinet, even though he was offered the same position that he held. Excited for this new PM, readers? Remember, Japanese Prime Ministers only last a year or two, usually.