A growing number of lawmakers within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are saying they would back Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga in a vote to choose the successor to outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, thrusting him to the forefront of the party's leadership race.Suga on Monday told lawmakers close to him that he is "optimistically" considering a run. According to people familiar with the matter, the top government spokesman intends to announce his candidacy after the party formally decides Tuesday to hold the election on Sept. 14.A 47-member faction within the LDP led by…READ FULL ARTICLE
