Born into a wealthy farming family of Gumma ken (prefecture), Fukuda attended the finest schools and, upon graduating from Tokyo University (1929), immediately entered the Ministry of Finance. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1952 on. His political career included tenures as minister of agriculture, of finance (three times), and of foreign affairs. When Fukuda successfully challenged Miki Takeo for the presidency of the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), he was also assured the post of prime minister. He assumed office in December 1976 under conditions of unrealistically high popular expectations. During his term in office the economic situation worsened when a new yen-dollar exchange rate was established, the bankruptcy rate rose, and unemployment soared. Trade relations with the West were strained when Japan built up a huge balance of payments surplus.
In the realm of foreign relations, Fukuda achieved greater success. The Fukuda Doctrine, enunciated in 1977, declared Japan’s resolve to never again become a military power and to strive to strengthen its relations with the nations of Southeast Asia. Fukuda was also instrumental in concluding the 1978 treaty of peace and friendship with China.
Fukuda’s promise to stabilize the economy remained unfulfilled after one year, and the public’s trust in his leadership declined further when some LDP members were implicated in the Lockheed bribery scandals. Fukuda was forced to dissolve his cabinet in 1978.