Japanese want Ishiba as next PM, says poll

Tokyo, August 31

Former Japanese Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba is the most popular choice among the public to be the next Prime Minister, media opinion polls showed, as the race kicks off to succeed Shinzo Abe after his abrupt resignation last week.

But Ishiba, a vocal Abe critic, could face an uphill battle if he does declare his candidacy, with local media reporting Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was set to receive the backing of several major factions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Japan does not elect its leader by direct popular vote.

Under the country’s parliamentary political system, lawmakers elect a prime minister who is usually the leader of the ruling party. Ishiba has about 34 per cent of the public support. Suga is the second-most popular choice, a survey showed.

A Nikkei/TV Tokyo poll showed Ishiba with 28% support, followed by current Defence Minister Taro Kono with 15%. Suga came in fourth place with 11%, the poll showed. The surveys highlight a split between public opinion and internal LDP politics.

Suga — a longtime lieutenant of Abe’s in a key supporting role — will join the race to replace his boss with support expected from the faction led by LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai and other major factions, putting him in a favourable position.

Suga declined to comment on Monday when asked about the LDP leadership race at his regular news conference as the government’s top spokesman. — Reuters

Challenge ahead

• Shigeru Ishiba, a vocal Abe critic, could face an uphill battle if he does declare his candidacy
• Local media has been reporting that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga is set to receive the backing of several major factions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party