Suga Elected As Japan's New Prime Minister
The head of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Suga Yoshihide, has been chosen as the country's new prime minister by the country's Diet.
The 71-year-old veteran politician will succeed Abe Shinzo, who has resigned to deal with health issues.
Suga supported Abe as Chief Cabinet Secretary for more than seven years. He says he will push forward Abe's policies to deal with the coronavirus and revitalize the economy. He also vows to prioritize administrative and regulatory reforms.
Suga will hold a news conference and convene the first meeting of the new cabinet after the Emperor ceremonially endorses him and his chosen cabinet at the Imperial Palace.
More than half of Suga's cabinet ministers were part of an Abe government... a reflection of the new leader's intentions to continue his predecessor's policies.
Aso Taro will stay on as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. He has been in the position for more than seven years.
Kato Katsunobu takes over for Suga as Chief Cabinet Secretary... leaving the post of Health Minister.
Motegi Toshimitsu will continue as foreign minister. Motegi was leading trade talks with the US and Britain.
Abe's younger brother Kishi Nobuo will take on his first cabinet post, as Defense Minister.
Takeda Ryota will oversee the telecommunications and broadcasting industries.
Hagiuda Koichi retains his post as Education Minister.
Tamura Norihisa returns to cabinet to become Health Minister, a post he held under a previous Abe administration.
Kajiyama Hiroshi retains his portfolio as the trade and industry minister.
Akaba Kazuyoshi, from the LDP's junior coalition partner Komeito, remains Infrastructure Minister.
Environment Minister Koizumi Shinjiro will continue his role.
Okonogi Hachiro will oversee the national police watchdog group.
Hirai Takuya will take on one of Suga's prioritized policies, the government's digitalization.
Nishimura Yasutoshi will continue overseeing Japan's coronavirus measures, to balance those efforts with the revitalization of the economy.
Kono Taro will shift to a new role in cabinet -- Administrative Reform Minister. Suga has emphasized the importance of work to create a more efficient government.
Hashimoto Seiko retains her position, taking charge of the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Inoue Shinji will take a new post in charge of the World Expo, to be held in Osaka in 2025.
