TOKYO - Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga will join the race to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ruling party lawmakers said Sunday, as they are seeking continuity in dealing with major issues amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Suga, who has been top government spokesman since Abe's return to power in late 2012, told Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai of his intention to run in the party leadership election, possibly to be held Sept. 14, according to the lawmakers.
Japan is planning to hold an extraordinary parliamentary session on Sept. 17 to pick the country's new prime minister, an LDP source with knowledge of the situation said.
Suga may publicly announce his intention to run in the election on Tuesday, while the source said the party is making final arrangements to kick off the race for the top job on Sept. 8.
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