Japan’s governing party to choose Shinzo Abe’s successor today

Japan’s governing party is set to choose a new successor of Shinzo Abe on Monday. 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced his resignation due to health problems.

Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga is likely to become the next prime minister. He is expected to remain as a Prime Minister until 2021.

“Shinzo Abe and the other party bosses picked and joined the bandwagon for Mr. Suga precisely because he was the best ‘continuity’ candidate, someone who they think could continue Abe government without Abe,” Koichi Nakano, dean and political science professor at Tokyo’s Sophia University, told the BBC.

Mr. Suga is considered an efficient and practical candidate.

On the other hand, two other contenders have also shown interest to succeed Mr. Abe.

According to BBC, Kishida Fumio served as foreign minister under Shinzo Abe, but for the past three years was heading the party’s policy research council. Compared to Mr. Suga, the 63-year old brings more international diplomatic experience to the table but lacks the endorsement by the outgoing prime minister.

The third contender is Shigeru Ishiba, a former LDP secretary-general and one-time defence minister in an earlier Abe cabinet.

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Prime Minister Japan announces resignation citing health issues

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Friday that he will resign over...

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Friday that he will resign over health issues.

According to  the details, Abe, 65, “I have decided to step down from the post of the prime minister,” told a press conference.

He first served as prime minister from 2006 but resigned in 2007, citing complications with ulcerative colitis.