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September 2, 2020

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Suga frontrunner to replace Abe

Source: AFP | 00:05 UTC+8 September 2, 2020 | Print Edition

Japan鈥檚 chief Cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga yesterday cemented his status as the clear frontrunner in the race to become the country鈥檚 next prime minister, ahead of a vote expected on September 14.

Suga has yet to officially announce he is running for the top job, after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said last week he would resign over health problems.

But he has nonetheless already become the favorite, with the largest faction within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party throwing its support behind him yesterday.

Two other key factions have also said they will back Suga, who is set to make his candidacy official today, when the LDP is expected to confirm the election date.

Local media said candidates will be required to register their run on September 8 鈥 with campaigning beginning immediately after.

Two candidates, former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba and LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida, have so far officially announced plans to stand.

The LDP election is for the party leadership, with a parliamentary vote for prime minister following on September 16, reports said. Opposition candidates are expected to stand, but the vote is seen largely as a formality that will endorse the ruling party鈥檚 choice.

A leadership contest would usually poll ruling-party lawmakers and LDP members nationwide.

But the LDP has opted for a constrained format, polling only its MPs and three representatives from each of the country鈥檚 47 prefectures.

The decision has elicited some criticism, but party officials said it would take too long to organize a broader vote.

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