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TOKYO: Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga is now the most preferred candidate among the public to become the next prime minister, and his popularity surged after entering the race for his party’s leadership, a poll showed from Asahi Shimbun on Friday (September 4).
The poll highlights the growing momentum of Suga, the government’s top spokesman, who emerged as the frontrunner to replace Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this week after securing the backing of several of his party’s key factions.
Suga has 38 percent of the public’s support, ahead of 25 percent for former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who had previously led several opinion polls in the media. Fumio Kishida, the head of policy for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, came in last with 5 percent.
In a June Asahi poll, Ishiba led a group of seven potential contenders with 31 percent, while Suga had just 3 percent.
READ: Japanese Prime Minister Abe resigns due to deteriorating health
Suga, a former Abe aide who resigned due to health problems, said Wednesday that he had decided to run as the party’s leader to avoid a political vacuum during the coronavirus pandemic.
The leadership election is scheduled for September 14, and PLD legislators and regional party representatives will cast their votes. The winner is almost certain of becoming prime minister thanks to the PLD’s parliamentary majority.
Suga is arguably the most recognizable face of the government after Abe, having served as the chief spokesperson for more than seven years and holding press conferences twice a day.
He is known as “Uncle Reiwa” for revealing the name of Japan’s new imperial era last year.
Asahi also surveyed respondents on the qualities needed to be a good prime minister, with “leadership” coming in first at 37 percent.
Among those who elected leadership, 43 percent supported Suga, compared with 20 percent for Ishiba, suggesting that his popularity has been bolstered by his high visibility in his role as chief cabinet secretary.
