Former Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will advise a new think tank on international policy, an official said Thursday.

Koizumi, Japan's third-longest serving prime minister and one of its most popular, stepped down in September after more than five years in office.

He will advise the Tokyo-based International Public Policy Institute, launched earlier this week and headed by economist Naoki Tanaka.

The institute studies topics related to diplomacy and national security and is supported by Toyota Motor Corp., Canon Inc., Nippon Steel Corp. and Tokyo Electric Power Co.

Koizumi also retains a seat in the legislature's lower chamber.

_______________________________________________________________

Associated Press/NEW YORK

Copyright 2006, by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.