Suga top contender for PM

Support for Japan govt spokesman grows ahead of slimmed-down vote

Japan’s top government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga (pic), moved a step closer to becoming the next premier after the ruling party decided on a slimmed-down leadership vote that favours the long-time lieutenant of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Suga has also won the backing of the largest faction of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), media reported yesterday, making him a strong frontrunner to replace Abe, who announced last Friday that he was stepping down for health reasons.

Suga has not announced his candidacy for leader of the LDP but has indicated privately that he intends to run, a source today.

Media reported that he would formally announce his intention to run today.

The party’s leader will almost certainly become prime minister because of 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.

A self-made politician, Suga was chosen by Abe in 2012 for the pivotal role of chief cabinet secretary, acting as top government spokesman, coordinating policies and riding herd on bureaucrats.

Suga’s most likely rivals for the top spot will be former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba and ex-foreign minister Fumio Kishida.

Kishida announced his candidacy yesterday.

The LDP general council’s decision to keep rank-and-file party members out of the leadership vote gives Suga, with his powerful backers, a leg-up in the race.

Ishiba, who is more popular with voters, as well as hundreds of other party members had opposed the format.

“I think that both for democracy and for the party, this is something that should not be,” Ishiba said on TV Asahi.

Kishida, who was long seen as Abe’s preferred successor but scores low in voter polls, emphasised his experience in economics and foreign policy, telling a news conference that he would do his “utmost for the nation and the people”.

He said the slimmed-down leadership race was in line with party rules and Japan must continue with fiscal stimulus.

“As the battle with coronavirus appears to be prolonged, we cannot expect a recovery in demand for a while. As such, bold fiscal and monetary measures must continue,” Kishida said.

LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, whose faction is backing Suga, said a simplified vote by party MPs from both chambers of parliament and heads of local chapters would be taken in the interest of speed.

“We must elect a new leader as soon as possible to avoid creating a political vacuum,” Nikai said.

LDP General Council chief Shunichi Suzuki said the decision was unanimous, with some worrying that a prolonged process would place a burden on Abe’s health. — Reuters