Japan's PM Fukuda support rate nearly 60 pct - survey

TOKYO, Sep 26 (Reuters) New Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda garnered a support rate of almost 60 percent in the first public opinion poll published after the seasoned moderate took office and tapped veteran ministers for his new cabinet.

The nationwide survey, conducted yesterday and today by Kyodo news agency showed that 57.8 per cent of respondents backed Fukuda's new cabinet, formally installed today after the 71-year-old lawmaker was chosen by parliament to succeed Shinzo Abe the day before.

Abe's support rates had slid to below 30 per cent before his shock September. 12 resignation, battered by a series of scandals and gaffes among cabinet members and voter anger over mismanagement of the public pension system that contributed to the ruling camp's humiliating defeat in a July upper house election.

REUTERS SG PM1333