By Takashi Umekawa and Tetsushi Kajimoto
TOKYO (Reuters) – The secretary of the leading cup, Yoshihide Suga, has said he intends to run for the leadership of Japan’s ruling party, a source said Monday, shortly after the release of a report that he had won that of one of the party’s toughest factions.
The leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will almost in fact be prime minister because of his majority in the confined space of parliament, replacing Shinzo Abe, who said Friday that he resigned for fitness reasons.
Suga announced her candidacy for leadership, but said privately that she intended to run, the person, who refused to be known because the data is public, said.
Previously, Kyodo News reported that a lawmakers organization led by Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso would be Suga in the race, giving it a criticism that adds to a recent increase.
Abe’s longtime lieutenant, Suga is considered a serious candidate thanks to the LDP heavyweights, added the party’s general secretary, Toshihiro Nikai.
Suga’s position contrasts with that of its most likely rival, Shigeru Ishiba, a more popular former defense minister among the electorate but missing forged in the component hierarchy, illustrating a gap between the leadership and the rural base component of the LDP.
“People are still an LDP government, but after Abe, they ask, “Who has another style?Ishiba told Reuters in an interview monday.
“I have continually challenged Abe and have more than those who have not.It’s not based on performance, it’s about expectations,” he said, in comments that gave the impression of pointing to Suga.
Ishiba also officially stated his goal of running and refused to comment on his plans at Reuters’ request.The Asahi Shimbun newspaper later reported that he would run, bringing in members of his faction.
BLOCK ISHIBA?
LDP leaders deserve to adopt a faster, lighter electoral form for the race that would restrict voting to legislators and locals, the votes of many rural members, and the Blockade of Ishiba.
Ishiba has about 34% of the audience, more than double the 14% of Suga, the top popular choice of the moment, showed a Kyodo News poll over the weekend.
A Nikkei/TV Tokyo ballot showed Ishiba 28% support, followed by current Defense Minister Taro Kono with 15%.Suga came in fourth place with 11% in this vote.
In addition to Kono, another imaginable candidate is Fumio Kishida, a former foreign minister.
Abe, Japan’s most years-old prime minister, said he resigned due to deteriorating health.
The LDP will vote for its leaders on 14 September.
(Additional report through Chris Gallagher, Linda Sieg, written through David Dolan; edited through Michael Perry, Robert Birsel and Mark Heinrich and Chizu Nomiyama)