Japanese prime minister hopeful Yoshihide Suga said Saturday that he lacks the kind of diplomatic skills that outgoing leader Shinzo Abe has, including Abe's personal friendship with President Donald Trump, and that he will need his assistance if he assumes the top job.
Abe in late August announced his intention to step down as prime minister due to health problems. He has led Japan since he returned to power in December 2012 for a second stint as prime minister.
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Japanese prime minister hopeful Yoshihide Suga said Saturday that he lacks the kind of diplomatic skills that outgoing leader Shinzo Abe has, including Abe's personal friendship with President Donald Trump, and that he will need his assistance if he assumes the top job.
Abe has traveled to 80 overseas destinations during his tenure, bringing stability and consistency to Japanese diplomacy and raising the country's profile in the international community, experts say. He was noted especially for developing a personal friendship with Trump.
Suga served as a policy coordinator and adviser to Abe, the point man behind the centralized power of the Prime Minister’s Office and its influence over bureaucrats in implementing policies. The son of a strawberry farmer in northern Japan and a self-made politician, Suga is a rarity in the country’s largely hereditary world of politics.
Suga would also inherit unfinished business on other challenges. China continues its assertive actions in the East China Sea. He will have to decide what to do with the Tokyo Olympics, and tackle COVID-19 and the economic fallout. And he will have to establish a good relationship with whoever wins the U.S. presidential race.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidate and Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, and former Japan's Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, on the reflection, attend a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidate and former Japan's Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)
Suga, the chief Cabinet secretary, is expected to win Monday's party election and then be endorsed in a parliamentary vote on Wednesday because of the majority held by the ruling bloc.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidate and Japan's former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida attends a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)
Abe has traveled to 80 overseas destinations during his tenure, bringing stability and consistency to Japanese diplomacy and raising the country's profile in the international community, experts say. He was noted especially for developing a personal friendship with Trump.
“Prime Minister Abe’s leadership diplomacy was truly amazing. I don’t think I can match that,” Suga said as he joined the two other contenders at a public debate. Former Defense Minister Shiberu Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida are also in the race.
“I think there is a diplomatic stance that would fit me and I will stick to my own style, while also seeking assistance from the Foreign Ministry. And of course I will consult with (Abe)," Suga said.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidates, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, left, and Japan's former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida attend a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)
Suga served as a policy coordinator and adviser to Abe, the point man behind the centralized power of the Prime Minister’s Office and its influence over bureaucrats in implementing policies. The son of a strawberry farmer in northern Japan and a self-made politician, Suga is a rarity in the country’s largely hereditary world of politics.
Bu despite his influence and his political skills at home, Suga has hardly traveled overseas, and his diplomatic skills are unknown, though he is largely expected to pursue Abe's priorities.
Abe failed to achieve his goals to settle a territorial row and sign a peace treaty with Russia or to normalize ties with North Korea.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidates, former Japan's Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba, left, and Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga attend a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)
Suga would also inherit unfinished business on other challenges. China continues its assertive actions in the East China Sea. He will have to decide what to do with the Tokyo Olympics, and tackle COVID-19 and the economic fallout. And he will have to establish a good relationship with whoever wins the U.S. presidential race.
“Suga has demonstrated influence in domestic policies, but his diplomatic skills are unknown,” said Yu Uchiyama, a University of Tokyo politics professor. “But I think there will be little change."
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Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidate and Japan's former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida attends a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidate and Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, and former Japan's Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, on the reflection, attend a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election candidate and former Japan's Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a debate ahead of the LDP's leadership election, in Tokyo Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. The party plans a vote on Sept. 14 to choose Shinzo Abe's replacement as party chief. (Charly TriballeauPool Photo via AP)