New Japanese Prime Minister elected

Japanese lawmakers have elected Naoto Kan as the country\'s new prime minister, two days after the surprise resignation of Yukio Hatoyama.



Naoto Kan has promised economic reform and to focus on social welfare, as well as a smooth relationship with the US.



He becomes Japan\'s fifth prime minister in three years.



Yukio Hatoyama resigned as prime minister last Wednesday over a dispute regarding a US military base in southern Japan.



He had promised to move the airbase off Okinawa Island, but failed to find an acceptable compromise for citizens and the US.