Suga Leading Ldp Leadership Race
NHK has found that Japan's chief cabinet secretary is leading the race to become the new leader of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party as the successor of outgoing Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
The winner is set to become the country's next prime minister. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide is vying with former LDP Secretary-General Ishiba Shigeru, and LDP policy chief Kishida Fumio for the party leadership.
There are 535 votes to be cast to decide the winner. Party lawmakers will cast 394 ballots. The remainder will come from the party's 47 prefectural local chapters, which will have three votes each.
NHK has interviewed LDP lawmakers and local chapters, and learned more than 70 percent of LDP lawmakers plan to vote for Suga.
Suga has gained wide support from five factions, including those led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aso Taro and LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro. Many lawmakers who do not belong to any factions also back Suga. He has attracted support from local chapters as well.
Kishida and Ishiba are each backed by their own factions and some other lawmakers.
Voting will take place on Monday.
