Japanese government elects first Catholic Prime Minister

A member of Japan's Catholic minority, former foreign minister Taro Aso has been chosen to be the country's next prime minister.

His election by the Liberal Democrat party came about after the abrupt resignation of Yasuo Fukuda.

The first Catholic in Japan to hold such high office, Mr Aso is related by marriage to the Imperial Family. A popular politician he is known for his forthright manner and outspoken criticism of China's military growth/

Aso was on Japan's 1976 Olympic shooting team and has also made much of his love for manga comic books.