TOKYO (JAPAN) – Yoshihide Suga, the top Japanese government spokesman, has inched further closer to becoming the successor of outgoing premier Shinzo Abe.
The largest faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) favours Suga, said local media. This makes him a strong front-runner for the premier’s post.
There are media reports that he would formally announce his candidacy on Wednesday.
The leader of the ruling party will certainly become prime minister given its majority in the lower house of parliament.
Suga, 71, is widely expected to stay the policy course set out by Abe, including the “Abenomics” strategy aimed at reviving the economy and keeping it afloat amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Abe chose Suga in 2012 to handle the key role of chief cabinet secretary, acting as top government spokesman, coordinating policies.
His likely rivals are former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba and ex-foreign minister Fumio Kishida.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.