Abe: "Suga Has Qualified to Be Prime Minister for a Long Time" ... Bold Reform Advice

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and current Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe evaluated current Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga by saying, "I have thought for a long time that he is a qualified person," and advised him not to fear reforms in the early days of his administration and to proceed boldly.

In an interview with Nihon Keizai Shimbun, former Prime Minister Abe stated, "Due to my health reasons, the succession matter became urgent. (At that time, Prime Minister Suga) was the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Abe administration, at the core of policy, and was fully aware of everything, which gave me great reassurance."

Former Prime Minister Abe praised Suga’s quick decision to run for office, saying, "As soon as I said I would step down, he said he would inherit Abenomics. That is one of Prime Minister Suga’s strengths," and added that the Hosoda faction, which he leads, also seemed to support Suga for this reason. He positively evaluated the Suga Cabinet, which recently introduced concrete policies closely related to daily life, such as lowering mobile phone fees and reducing the burden of infertility treatment costs, as "very good."

Regarding foreign policy, which had raised concerns due to Suga’s lack of experience, Abe said, "He is smoothly conducting telephone consultations with heads of state from various countries," emphasizing, "I heard from Prime Minister Suga himself that his phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, and it has been rare for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s side to call him." He added, "His consistent service as Chief Cabinet Secretary for 7 years and 8 months during the Abe administration means he has always been at the core of the administration, which reassures the other side and becomes an asset in diplomacy."

He also believed that the abduction issue of Japanese citizens by North Korea could be entrusted to Suga with confidence, as Suga concurrently served as the minister in charge of the abduction issue during his time as Chief Cabinet Secretary and fully understands the difficulties involved.

Former Prime Minister Abe said, "Prime Minister Suga has a tendency to pursue reforms," and advised, "Reforms are easiest to carry out when there is momentum at the beginning of an administration. Take advantage of the current momentum and proceed boldly without fear of the future." Regarding the dissolution of the House of Representatives, he said, "It is the most difficult decision a prime minister makes. It is a decision made alone, and this is something that cannot be consulted with anyone," adding, "Since it is a decisive battle that determines the fate of the administration, I hope Prime Minister Suga will make the decision with well-refined judgment and a sense of challenge."

Meanwhile, having resigned from the prime ministership due to his chronic illness, ulcerative colitis, Abe recently stated about his health, "The new medication I started using is effective, and I am recovering smoothly." Regarding former party chairman Fumio Kishida, who was initially reported to be his chosen successor, Abe said, "He is a truly sincere person as a politician and has left great achievements as foreign minister," while also noting, "Some people criticize him for having weak communication skills." However, he also said, "There were talks that the timing was wrong due to the short-term political situation caused by my sudden resignation, but his performance in the latter part of the party presidential election was good."