Conservative Aso forms his Cabinet

Outspoken conservative Taro Aso took office as Japan’s prime minister, promising “emergency measures” to revive the economy and vowing to keep Tokyo in the fight against global terrorism.

Lawmakers elected Aso, 68, after quelling an attempt by the upper house to install a rival as premier. He stacked his Cabinet with fellow right-leaning veterans.

The former foreign minister replaced Yasuo Fukuda, who struggled during his year in office with a politically divided parliament and chronically low public support ratings.