[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Following the resignation announcement of Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide has expressed his intention to run for the now-vacant prime minister position, according to Japanese media reports.
On the 30th, local media reported that Minister Suga conveyed his intention to run in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election, which is effectively the prime minister election, to LDP Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro.
Minister Suga is expected locally to form a major candidate group along with Kishida Fumio, the LDP Policy Research Council Chairman who was considered Abe's successor, and former LDP Secretary-General Ishiba Shigeru, who has opposed Prime Minister Abe.
Until recently, Minister Suga repeatedly denied any possibility of running, stating he was "not thinking about it at all," but he changed his stance within just a few days.
Currently, within Japan's LDP, there are reports that some are advocating for holding this presidential election as a "simplified election," granting voting rights only to affiliated Diet members and regional organization representatives, excluding general party members.
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