Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga to join race for Shinzo Abe's succession

Following anuncement of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stepping down from his position over health concerns, country’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga will w join race to succeed former as leer of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) who would also become next premier of Japan. As reported by ANI, a source familiar with entire matter told a Japanese media ncy on August 30 that Suga has informed LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai about his wish to run in election for party leership.

Reportedly Japanese government’s chief spokesperson revealed his plans of eyeing senior post came a day after Shinzo Abe anunced that he would be stepping down. ncy’s source ded that several senior members of party have hailed Suga in past for his crisis manment abilities considering crucial st in nation to maintain policy continuity in fight against COVID-19 pandemic. 

Senior LDP lawmakers believe that election is slated to be held on or around September 15. Apart from Suga, LDP policy chief and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba have also indicated towards participating in upcoming elections and takeover after outgoing Japan PM. Abe has ordered Nikai to make required decisions regarding party leership race. 

Yoshihide Suga has been serving as chief spokesperson of Japanese government since Abe assumed power back in 2012 and is also one of closest aides of Japan PM. He was also considered to be Abe’s potential contender. However, recent revelation by media reports come in contrary to remarks he me in past when he denied possibility of succeeding Abe saying “never thought about it”. 

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Longest-serving Japan PM

Japan’s longest-serving PM anunced his resignation during a press conference on Friday, August 28 citing a chronic health problem that has resurfaced. He also told reporters that it was “gut-wrenching” to have left a number of his goals unfinished. Abe reportedly h ulcerative colitis since he was a teenr and said that condition was in control with appropriate treatment. 

Abe’s stepping-down as country leer came after speculations about his health and well-being began resurfacing in summer and drastically grew when he visited Tokyo hospital two weeks in a row for unspecified health checkups. He has said that he is w on a fresh treatment that requires IV injections and even though re are some improvements, re is surety that it will cure his condition and refore, decided to resign.

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(With ANI inputs)

Im: @sugawriter/Twitter