Japan’s new PM takes office

Fumio Kishida has formally taken office as Japan’s new prime minister, succeeding Yoshihide Suga who resigned after just one year in office.

Mr Kishida, 64, won the race to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last week.

He will face a range of tough issues, including post-pandemic economic recovery and threats from North Korea.

He will also hope to help his party regain popularity after its unpopular push to host the Tokyo Olympics.

The move to go ahead with the event came despite massive public opposition due to concerns over a surge in Covid cases.

Mr Suga decided to step down as prime minister after a year in office due to plummeting poll ratings caused by the handling of the pandemic.

Mr Kishida will now lead the LDP into a general election that must be held by November. Local media reports say Mr Kishida is expected to call for polls by 31 October.

The new cabinet members under Mr Kishida are due to be announced later today.

“I think it will be a new start in its true sense,” he had earlier told reporters. “I want to take on challenges with a strong will and firm resolve to face the future.”

He has long targeted the prime ministerial role, and lost out to Mr Suga in last year’s poll.

Source: Agencies