Japan’s ruling party picks Yoshihide Suga to succeed Shinzo Abe

Suga easily won internal vote to be the new leader of Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party, paving the way for him to replace Shinzo Abe as the country's next prime minister.

Following Shinzo Abe's resignation announcement in August 2020, Suga emerged as the leading contender to replace him in the leadership election, having gained the support of Deputy Prime Minister Tarō Asō and LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, as well as the two largest factions in the LDP and supposedly even Abe himself.

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)