Some people in Tokyo expressed optimism that Yasuo Fukuda will bring much-needed stability to the government after his sweeping victory Sunday in the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election &#8212; while others were skeptical that the LDP can recover from the recent scandals besetting its lawmakers.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'Because of the abrupt announcement by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to resign, the Cabinet is in urgent need of stability and composure. Fukuda has those elements, which –

Aso lacks," Shuichi Minoike, a 29-year-old office worker from Chiba Prefecture, said at JR Akihabara Station.

Minoike said he is optimistic Fukuda will "utilize his established skills" when he faces critical decisions as the next prime minister, including the debate over extending the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean and managing the pension record scandal.

Yaeko Azuma, 68, also visiting the Akihabara district, agreed, pointing out that compared with the 67-year-old Aso, the 71-year-old Fukuda is more likely to bring harmony to the government.

"Fukuda has substantial experience as the chief Cabinet secretary (under Junichiro Koizumi). He should be capable of bridging the LDP and the (opposition) Democratic Party of Japan," the housewife said.