Yoshihide Suga succeeds Shinzo Abe as Japan’s leader

Yoshihide Suga succeeds Shinzo Abe as Japan’s leader

Japan’s parliament has elected Yoshihide Suga as the country’s new prime minister, following the resignation of Shinzo Abe due to ill health.

Mr Suga bowed deeply several times when the results were announced as his fellow ruling party MPs applauded in Parliament’s lower house, the more powerful of the two chambers where he has a seat. He was also confirmed in the upper house.

Mr Suga, who was chief cabinet secretary and the top government spokesman under Mr Abe, selected a cabinet that is a mix of fresh faces and current or former ministers.

Mr Abe said before the change was official that as an MP, he will support Mr Suga’s government and he thanked the people for their understanding and their strong support for Mr Suga.

Mr Abe told reporters at the prime minister’s office before heading into his final cabinet meeting: “I devoted my body and soul for the economic recovery and diplomacy to protect Japan’s national interest every single day since we returned to power. During this time, I was able to tackle various challenges together with the people, and I’m proud of myself.”

In a brief farewell ceremony, Mr Abe was presented with a bouquet as all the Prime Minister’s Office staff and Mr Suga lined up and applauded until he disappeared into his car. Mr Abe, 65, said last month he was resigning because his treatment for ulcerative colitis would be ongoing and cause physical weakness.

Japan Politics
Shinzo Abe has stepped down due to persistent health concerns (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

Mr Suga, 71, praised Mr Abe’s diplomacy and economic policies when asked what he would like to accomplish himself and says he will set up a new government agency to speed up Japan’s lagging digital transformation.

He said he will break down vested interests and rules that hamper reforms. In reshuffling key posts with the party, however, Mr Suga evenly allocated top posts to key factions, a balancing act seen as returning the favour for their support in the leadership race.

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