Suga Secures Strong Support Within Ldp
The race to lead Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the country will likely be a three-person contest. The winner will succeed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who announced last week he will step down over health issues.
Among the frontrunners, the government's top spokesperson is riding a wave of support that could prove impossible to beat.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide said, "I am determined to do whatever I can to push forward the efforts that Prime Minister Abe has been making with all his might. Japan is facing a crisis, unlike anything we have ever experienced. We need to do all we can to promote social and economic activities while preventing the spread of the coronavirus. We have to protect jobs and revitalize the economy. We must steadily carry out reforms, with an eye to the post-coronavirus era."
Suga laid out his priorities, Wednesday. He's hoping to tackle challenges stemming from Japan's aging society, solve the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea, and amend the Constitution.
Suga has served as chief cabinet secretary for more than seven years... longer than anyone in history.
Japan has faced major disasters and increased regional tension, including a spike in ballistic missile launches from North Korea.
Suga has also pushed forward with the relocation of a US base in the southern prefecture of Okinawa, and promoted Japan as a destination for foreign tourists.
Shortly after Suga officially announced his candidacy, leaders of the party's largest factions made their case for why he should be elected.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aso Taro said, "As a member of the cabinet, I appreciate what we have achieved during the past seven years. After watching his news conference, I'm convinced he is qualified to continue this government`s policies and I`ve decided to support him."
Also in the race are Kishida Fumio, LDP policy chief and former foreign minister, and Ishiba Shigeru, former LDP Secretary-General and former defense minister.
Of the three, Suga has secured the most support. Most of the party's large factions have pledged their votes for Suga --- together amounting to two-thirds of the party's sitting lawmakers.
On September 14, 394 LDP lawmakers will get to vote on who becomes their next leader.
Local chapters representing the country's 47 prefectures will decide on how to designate three votes each.
Two days after the new party president is chosen, Japan's Diet will vote on the prime minister.
A win there is nearly a foregone conclusion, since it's controlled by an LDP-led coalition.
