Tokyo: In a change of leadership in Japan, Yoshihide Suga has taken over as the president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday, taking him a step closer to becoming the prime minister of the world's third-largest economy later this week. Also Read: Bangladesh Eases Restrictions On Domestic Flights; To Carry Passengers In All Seats After COVID-19 Situation Becomes Less Intense

Who is Yoshihide Suga?

Yoshihide Suga has been Abe's right-hand man for nearly eight years who went on to win the support of the LDP's two largest factions -Abe's 98-member Hosoda faction and the group led by Finance Minister Taro Aso.

As per the Washington Post, Suga comes from a humble background. His father was a strawberry farmer and a teacher and worked in a factory after high school. The leader managed to make his way through university before entering politics.

One of the interesting things is that Suga will be the first prime minister in 20 years not belonging to a politician family, according to Mainichi newspaper. Suga is a rare party leader who does not belong to any faction. He found the initial support from the 47-strong group led by LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai.

 Newly elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Yoshihide Suga attends a press conference at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on September 14, 2020. - Japan's ruling party on September 14 elected chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga its new leader, making him all but certain to replace Shinzo Abe as the country's next prime minister. (Photo by STR / JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT

He has held the official positions including chief cabinet secretary and chief government spokesperson.

Suga remained in controversy due to the suggestion regarding another rise in consumption tax could be needed; previous increases under Abe twice led to the economy to contract.




Here is what the win means for the nation.

The 71-year-old is widely expected to continue with the economic policies of the Abe administration.

“We cannot have any void in policy," Suga said after the vote. "I want to create a government that people can trust. I will push ahead with deregulation and put an end to ministry sectionalism, endemic vested interests and the practice of blindly following past precedents," Suga added.

According to the Nikkei Asian Review, the leader has said he would create a central agency to handle Japan's digitalization, and improve competition in the telecommunications industry to lower mobile phone rates -- a crusade that began when he was minister of internal affairs and communications.

Abe, Japan's longest serving prime minister, announced his resignation on August 28 on health grounds.

What are the challenges?

As per the report, Suga, who doesn’t have much experience in handling international relations, will need to ensure that the country fights the pandemic, find solutions arising due to tensions with China amid the US presidential election in November.