Key candidates to replace Shinzo Abe

The new leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party will become prime minister following Shinzo Abe’s resignation for health reasons


Shigeru Ishiba, 63
Former Defence Minister
34.3%*
Vocal critic of Abe is public’s top choice for prime minister but is less popular with LDP lawmakers

Yoshihide Suga, 71
Chief Cabinet Secretary
14.3%
Abe’s right-hand man since 2012 is expected to receive backing of several major factions within LDP

Taro Kono, 56
Defence Minister
13.6%
Backed by Shinjiro Koizumi, high-profile son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi

Fumio Kishida, 63
Former Foreign Minister
7.5%
Low-key member of parliament is widely seen as Abe’s preferred successor but lacks popular support

*Candidate’s popularity according to Kyodo News telephone survey of 1,050 randomly selected respondents between Aug 30-31


TOP PRIORITIES FOR NEW CABINET (according to same survey) 
Coronavirus pandemic 	72.9%
Economy and employment	32.1%
Social welfare		19.2%


Sources: Kyodo News, Reuters, AP 
Pictures: Getty Images 
© GRAPHIC NEWS