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Fukuda turns to YouTube to reach wider audience

Japan's prime minister has begun reaching out to the world with English-language messages on the video-sharing Internet site YouTube in an apparent bid to raise his country's international profile.

In his online New Year's message, Yasuo Fukuda speaks in English about the challenges facing the world in the coming year and promises to play a leading role in finding solutions.

"Of these challenges, those that concern the environment seriously affect all who live on this earth. Japan's mission is to play a major role in this area," Fukuda says in the video set against a backdrop of leather-bound books at his official residence.

"We will contribute to creating a world where people can live peacefully," he says in the five-minute clip -- rarely smiling, in line with his dour image.

As of yesterday morning, the English video clip had been viewed 385 times.

A Japanese-language version of the recording had been viewed only 1,465 times.

Neither recording had yet prompted any viewers to post comments on the site.

The clip is part of the "YouTube LDP Channel" launched last month by Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. It features official party videos designed to reach a younger, wider and more global audience.

The channel hosts about two dozen video clips, including messages from LDP executives, a video summarizing the party's history and a lawmaker playing a traditional Japanese banjo.

Fukuda will also make frequent appearances on the channel, according to LDP multimedia chief Taro Kono.

"The LDP is the very first Japanese party to launch a channel on YouTube," Kono said in another clip. "I hope you tune in when you have nothing else to do."

Fukuda already sends out a weekly e-mail magazine in English and Japanese.

The initiative comes amid recent efforts by Japan -- which is trying to win a permanent seat on the UN Security Council -- to boost its international clout.

Tokyo sent troops to Iraq on a humanitarian mission in 2003 and joined rescue efforts after the 2004 tsunami hit Southeast Asia.
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