Suga, who is by far the longest-serving Chief Cabinet Secretary in Japanese history, declared on Wednesday that he would run for the leadership of the ruling party, a race he is heavily favored to win and become the country's next leader after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's resignation due to health issues.

Following Shinzo Abe's resignation announcement, Suga emerged as the leading contender to replace him, with the support of both Abe himself, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, and the two largest factions in the LDP.

Suga's competitors in the LDP leadership race included longtime Abe rival Shigeru Ishiba, LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida (who had previously been Abe and Aso's preferred candidate), and cabinet ministers Toshimitsu Motegi and Taro Kono.

Who is Yoshihide Suga?

Yoshihide Suga, who was born on 6 December 1948, currently serves as Chief Cabinet Secretary, a position he has held since December 2012; he has the longest tenure in this post in Japanese history.

He has represented the Kanagawa 2nd district in the House of Representatives since 1996, and previously served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in the cabinet of Shinzō Abe from September 2006 to August 2007. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. (ILKHA)