Japan elects Yoshihide Suga as the new Prime Minister

Yoshihide Suga has been elected as Japan’s new Prime Minister. 

The vote confirms the new position of the former Chief Cabinet Secretary after winning the election.

Mr. Suga is likely to continue his predecessor’s policies. 

According to the international news agency, Mr. Suga won a poll for prime minister in the Diet, Japan’s lower house, receiving 314 out of 462 votes.

The new premier will have to face challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Mr. Suga’s election assures the continuity in all the major policy initiatives launched by Shinzo Abe,” Yuki Tatsumi, director of the Washington-based Stimson Center’s Japan programme, told the BBC.

“What will be the greatest test for him is how well he fares as the public face of the Japanese government,” she cautions.

“While his ability as Mr. Abe’s right-hand man and his Chief Cabinet Secretary has been amply proven, his ability to lead the country as the top leader is largely untested, particularly in the area of foreign policy. How Suga can transition from supporting the main actor will determine how well the leadership transition can be managed.”

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Former PM Shinzo Abe announced resignation

Mr. Suga won the election after the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned from the office last month. He cited ill-health.

He earlier held his final cabinet meeting and told reporters he was proud of his achievements during his nearly eight years in power.

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