On Wednesday, Japan’s parliament elected Yoshihide Suga as new prime minister. He will be replacing the country’s longest-serving premier, Shinzo Abe, who stepped down citing health concerns.
According to the results, our house has decided to name Yoshihide Suga prime minister, lower house speaker Tadamori Oshima told parliament after the votes were counted.
Suga, won by taking 314 votes of 462 valid ballots cast in the lower house of parliament, where his ruling Liberal Democratic Party holds a commanding majority with its coalition partner.
He is expected to announce his cabinet later Wednesday, with local media reporting he will retain a number of ministers from Abe’s government.
Suga has said he will prioritise keeping coronavirus infections under control and kickstarting Japan’s economy, and has promised to continue Abe’s key policy programmes.
