Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda vowed Oct. 1 in his first Diet speech to recover the public's trust in the government ? a trust damaged by the money scandals swirling around members of the Cabinet of his predecessor, Shinzo Abe. The scandals and the pension record debacle led to the ruling bloc's huge upset in the July Upper House election.

The new prime minister said his diplomatic priorities are to continue Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean for antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan, to resolve the Pyongyang abduction issue and to continue pushing for North Korea's denuclearization.