Japan’s new first lady is a devoted wife who avoids the limelight

Yokohama – Mariko Suga, Japan’s new first lady, delivered a rare public speech Wednesday to a crowd of her husband’s supporters in her constituency in Yokohama, where the Akita prefectural native began his political career more than 30 years ago.

“Thanks to you people of Yokohama who supported Suga despite his lack of local acquaintances or relatives, he was elected to the (Yokohama) city assembly 33 years ago,” said Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s wife. Mariko Suga has earned a reputation as a devoted backstage advocate for her husband’s political endeavors.

“He then became a member of the Diet and chief cabinet secretary, and today he was elected prime minister. I am immensely indebted to you for your support,” the 67-year-old said in a speech that lasted about a minute. . He bowed deeply to the crowd, who responded with a storm of applause.

His calm demeanor is a stark contrast to that of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wife Akie, a socialite who has often posted on social media about meeting celebrities and other public figures.

Some speculate that Mariko Suga, a native of Shizuoka prefecture, will likely refrain from engaging in diplomatic engagements as first lady.

She has tirelessly helped her husband throughout his career. But the new prime minister has rarely slept at his home in Yokohama in recent years, instead staying at the legislators’ quarters near the prime minister’s office so that he can respond quickly to any emergency.

Suga, who is also known for his aversion to the limelight, has said that he had a hard time convincing his wife to let him run for president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. But in the end, he chose the tie he wore on September 2 when he announced his candidacy.

The couple met while Suga was working as a secretary to the late Hikosaburo Okonogi, a former House of Representatives legislator. They have three children.