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Yoshihide Suga

Yoshihide Suga became Japan’s new Prime Minister on September 16, replacing long-serving leader Shinzo Abe. Suga comes to the top job at a time when the country is grappling with a coronavirus-hit economy, geopolitical tensions and the US-China rivalry.

Born

6 Dec 1948

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Prime Minister of Japan

Yoshihide Suga

Japan’s ex-PM Suga leads cross-party group promoting Japan-South Korea ties

Suga could visit South Korea as early as this spring and meet with President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to sources close to the matter.

Is Japan’s ex-leader Suga planning a comeback as PM Kishida’s popularity sinks?

Japan steps up Pacific engagement to counter China’s growing influence

Japan’s former PM Suga strikes conciliatory tone towards China

In a newspaper interview, Suga said China is an important neighbour, but Japan and the US would speak out against its efforts to change the status quo in the region.

PM Kishida tells voters only LDP can keep Japan safe from security threats

China’s military assertiveness and nuclear-armed North Korea are Japan’s main causes of concern, with the leader intending to double defence spending to appeal to conservatives.

Opinion | Why Japan will take a more China-friendly turn after its general election

Expect Fumio Kishida to take a more progressive approach to issues around Japan’s sluggish economy and foreign affairs. Enacting his policies will require greater trade and investment, and he is likely to look to China for both once his election victory is secured.

Video | Yoshihide Suga’s last day in office

Japan’s parliament elects Fumio Kishida as new PM

Fumio Kishida takes office after being formally elected as Japan’s 100th prime minister, amid reports a general election will be held on October 31.

LDP’s pick for Japan PM won’t ‘rock the boat’ on US and China: experts

Ex-foreign minister Fumio Kishida defeated popular vaccine minister Taro Kono after the ruling party’s stalwarts voted for continuity.

As Japan’s ruling LDP picks new leader, what’s next for the new PM?

The winner of the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race is almost certain to replace Yoshihide Suga. Here are the next steps.

China hawk and pacifist politician vie to become Japan’s first woman PM

Sanae Takaichi, an ultraconservative, and Seiko Noda, a pacifist, are the first women seeking to lead the LDP in 13 years.

Covid-19 vaccines, advanced tech, climate change lead Quad agenda

Biden, Modi, Suga and Morrison pledge to make cyberspace and emerging technologies ‘trusted and secure’

China’s military expansion could threaten Japan’s peace, PM Suga warns

China’s changing of the status quo with its military power in the background could present a risk to Japan, Suga said ahead of the first Quad summit.

Will Japan get its first female prime minister as two women run?

Victory for either Seiko Noda and Sanae Takaichi in a September 29 vote for leader of the ruling LDP would mean Japan sees its first female premier.

Editorial | Pragmatic approach to China essential for next Japanese PM

Successor to Yoshihide Suga needs to be reasonable in Tokyo’s relations with Beijing for the sake of regional stability and a smooth post-pandemic recovery.

Macroscope | Ailing Japan needs visionary leadership to revive its regional role

The contest to replace Yoshihide Suga should be wide open, but Japan’s mindset remains closed on key issues. Economic opportunities in the shape of trade and investment abound if only the restraints of Japan’s relationship with the United States can be loosened.

China, Taiwan top agenda in race to replace Japan PM Suga as LDP leader

Whoever replaces Yoshihide Suga as LDP leader in the party election later this month is odds-on to become Japan’s next PM. All the contenders agree on the need to counter Chinese aggression and support Taiwan.

Opinion | What now for Japan, as Suga steps down as prime minister?

Shinzo Abe, the country’s longest-serving PM, was always going to be a tough act to follow, and Yoshihide Suga, in departing, seemed to think the job was too big for him. With his rapid departure, Japan may be facing a return to leadership instability.

Japan’s vaccine minister Taro Kono emerges as front-runner to become PM

Former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is popular among the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s members, is reportedly considering backing Kono.

Japan PM contender Kishida warns Taiwan is ‘next big diplomatic problem’

‘Looking at the situation with Hong Kong, I have a strong feeling that the Taiwan Strait will be the next big problem,’ the former foreign minister said.

Video | Japanese PM Suga bows out

Opinion | Japan’s next PM? Vaccine tsar Taro Kono is in with a shot

Among the other possibilities are ex-foreign minister Kishida and would-be first female PM Sanae Takaichi.

Video | Yoshihide Suga to step down as Japanese PM

Explainer | Suga resigns: what happens now and is Abe poised to return?

The immediate question of who succeeds Suga may be complicated by speculation that Abe is preparing for a third stint as prime minister.

Japan’s PM Yoshihide Suga to resign after just 1 year in post

The shock announcement comes with Suga’s approval ratings at an all-time low over his government’s handling of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Japanese PM Suga vows to ‘never again repeat the devastation of war’

‘Since the end of the war, Japan has consistently walked the path of a country that values peace,’ Suga said in a speech marking the anniversary of the end of World War II.

Japan to revise 5-year defence plan ahead of schedule, eyeing China

The Medium Term Defence Programme could be updated within the year, as Japan seeks to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness in surrounding waters.

Tokyo infection numbers threaten Paralympics as Suga watches approval slump

Public sentiment towards the Games warmed as Japanese athletes claimed record medal hauls but Japan has been left with a US$15 billion bill and a raging pandemic.