A downstream exhaust system controller generates a target value for the output of an upstream O2 sensor disposed between first and second catalytic converters for converging the output of a downstream O2 sensor disposed downstream of the second catalytic converter to a target value while taking into account the dead time of a downstream exhaust system. An upstream exhaust system controller generates a target air-fuel ratio for an internal combustion engine for converging the output of the upstream O2 sensor to a target value while taking into account the dead time of an upstream exhaust system. A fuel processing controller controls the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine at the target air-fuel ratio according to a feedback control process.