On Monday, September 14, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected a leader. It is Secretary General of the Japanese government Yoshihide Suga, according to the Kyodo agency.
Three candidates were nominated for the post. One of Sugi's rivals is the former Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. The former Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party Ishiba Shigeru, who previously served as Minister of Defense and Minister of Agriculture, also nominated his candidacy.
The key parliamentary associations of the party have already expressed their support to the General Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Japan. A total of 394 LDP deputies and 141 delegates from local branches voted. Suga got 377 votes, Kishida - 89, Ishiba - 68. He must be approved at an extraordinary session of parliament on August 16.
"The election of Suga as prime minister at an extraordinary session of parliament on Wednesday is almost guaranteed," the statement said.
It is noted that Yoshihide Suga will hold the post of leader of the LDP until the end of Abe's three-year term - until September 2021.
