Japan’s ‘vaccine minister’ Taro Kono favoured for PM

TOKYO, September 5

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Japan’s minister in charge of Covid-19 vaccinations is seen as the most suitable candidate to become the next prime minister, while a female former Internal Affairs Minister has secured backing for her bid for the top job, media reported on Sunday.

The Kyodo news agency said nearly a third of respondents to a telephone poll it conducted this weekend said the minister in charge of vaccinations, Taro Kono, was most suitable to succeed Suga as premier. Kono has not confirmed his intention to seek the leadership of ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), telling reporters only that he wanted to consult party colleagues before deciding. Kono was named by 31.9 per cent of respondents in the Kyodo poll as the most suitable person to succeed Suga. — Reuters