TOKYO (JAPAN) – The poll results published by the Mainichi Shimbun daily on Thursday show that Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga is the most preferred candidate to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
As much as 44% of respondents said they would pick Suga as Abe’s successor while 36% voted in favour of Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Suga maintains a clear lead among supporters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The poll was conducted by the daily in association with the Social Survey Research Centre.
The LDP leadership poll is expected to be held on Sept. 14, with lawmakers and regional party representatives taking part. The winner will serve as party chief for the remainder of Abe’s term, which ends in September 2021. The winner will become premier as the LDP has the majority in parliament.
Given the spike in popularity of Suga, there is speculation that there could be a snap poll for the lower house of parliament next month. He has hinted of pursuing his boss’s policies.