TOKYO: Former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda, known for trying to build stable ties with China, has died at the age of 90, a ruling party official said on Monday.

Fukuda passed away on Oct 22, the official from the Liberal Democratic Party said.

He led Japan for a year from September 2007 after replacing the late premier Shinzo Abe, whose first term ended after just 12 months.

During his stint in power, he sought to improve relations with China and invited thenChinese president Hu Jintao to visit Japan. Hu`s trip in May 2008 made him the firstChinese head of state to visit the country in a decade.

The two leaders issued a joint statement committing to a `mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests`. Fukuda resigned in Sept 2008 as his approval ratings dropped. He retired as a politician in 2012.

But as Tokyo`s ties with Beijing worsened over a disputed island chain and other historical issues, Fukuda visited China in 2014 to hold talks with President Xi Jinping, paving the way for a summit between Xi and Abe during his second term in power.-AFP