PM candidate Suga: A stern enforcer who does 100 sit-ups daily

You can take the Akita out of an old man, but you can’t take the Nippon Kaigi out of a AbeAso bum chum.

He is a member of Nippon Kaigi! Great. He has my vote.

the only pros are:

1.- Photo w/ Trump

2.-100 sit-ups

...don't think he's gonna make it.

100 sit ups? And 18 hole in ones. Mmm thank god I wasn't educated in Japan. But that's why he is soon to be the new PM. Nothing at all to do with nepotism or passing the Tourch, which hilariously isn't going to happen for the Olympics. I wish him well in his retirement all 6 months of it.

Gotta wonder why the Japanese media outlets are falling over themselves with these over-the-top positive portrayals and attempts to humanize him.

Suga has repeatedly emphasised the need to bring back tourism to revitalise the economies of Japan's hard-hit regions, which were suffering even before the novel coronavirus pandemic, thanks to an aging, shrinking population.

But "Uncle Abe" and his policies were making Japan a better place ....(Sarcasm!)

I do radio taisou everyday. Does that make me stern as well?

Meh.  Like his ability to do some exercise is an issue.  From the Joe Biden school of politics.  Push up competitions and nostalgia for beating up kids at school.

The sterness didn't help prevent wasting 50billion yen on mask that is gathering dust in most homes.

It doesn’t look like his daily exercise of 100 sit-ups is helping him get in shape. Maybe he should also do 100 push-ups.

Is the headline on purpose? it makes it sound everything but a serious candidate.

Never heard him talk about anything except in a tone that could put anyone to sleep.

NOT KNOWN FOR CHARISMA

You're hired!

Had it been 100 push-ups I might have been impressed. Sit-ups are so passe and bad for the back. The fact that he continues to do this outdated exercise without updating to modern techniques does not bode well for the economy.

if we can only talk about his 100 sit-ups, there's a major flaw in Japanese politics.

And anything of real substance about Mr Suga?

Wow, can he count to 100 as well?

He's got my........

> He said Japan would do "whatever it takes" to host the Tokyo Olympic Games next year after their postponement this year.

sympathies. Clearly he's in the beginning stages of delusion and in a fantasy world.

Hopefully he can take his 100 sit ups and go compete with Koike in the 2 person Toyko Olympics next year.

Gotta wonder why the Japanese media outlets are falling over themselves with these over-the-top positive portrayals and attempts to humanize him.

You do realize that the government can withdraw media credentials of any individuals who do not represent the government in good light in their respective media?

Free country?

Don't know why it was left out from the article, he does the sit-ups while dressed in his suit

wonder whether he doesn't sweat but even if he doesn't really potray seriousness and a good image.

He could use a mizuno sports wear.

Meant doesn't really portray

I've actually with my own eyes seen him, he could hardly walk. They only show him from the chest up on TV. Believe me as sad as it is that's his best virtue. I highly doubt he could do 2 sit ups without pain. But as he was born of a unicorn on Mt Fugi who am I to say.

Suga's such a sad sack who will have a rough time covering Abe's *ss and saving Abenomics. He may, however, get lucky and never have to meet the Great Orange Father in Washington who will wish him well.

Meh. Like his ability to do some exercise is an issue. From the Joe Biden school of politics. Push up competitions and nostalgia for beating up kids at school.

Well, Biden likes touching kids in pools, Aso likes manga kid pornpop, Abe likes bossedbywife.com, so as much as I don’t trust people who can’t look in your eyes when they lie, we definitely need a Rambo boss to sort out this country.

frankly , except printing money . what can he do?

I am wondering if ABE did not run away before a coming mega CRASH..

stay tune!

Japan's obedient TV channels have already started to feature "success story" about Suga.

Those never mention what he had said and done as accomplice of Abe government.

One of main cause of that Abe government continued until this year is such a shameful Japanese media who forgot journalism.

Mr. Suga,

We don't need any more quitters.

We don't need any more apologiest.

We don't need any more politician's willing to sign terrible deals crippling Japan and sending us in the lost decades.

If your willing to quit at the slightest issue, don't run for office. If your willing to apologies at the slightest issue don't take office.

We did that for the last 30 years and it only backfired on Japan.

From the beginning, if your weak, can't speak multiple languages, don't understand Korean mentality, willing to quit and sign any terrible deals for Japan. Don't Take Office.

I'm more interested in how many books he reads.

And anything of real substance about Mr Suga?

A substantial combover, or is it a wig?

The fact that his daily sit ups is the only accomplishment to become a headline speaks plenty about him.

Thinks a photo with Trump is a good thing...

Also thinks anyone anywhere, ever, cares about your 15 year old level of anaerobic fitness.

Nope.

Nope...let's just not. Look into his eyes...they say Nope.

Oh God!

More of the same!

Invalid CSRF!

What a pathetic awful FLUFF piece this is!!! Its embarassing!!

And yeah as Jessie Lee said sit ups are a BAD exercise, so Suga please switch to push ups it will be MUCH better for you......

This article is depressing as hell!

Japan is no different to North Korea. Propaganda glorifying upcoming leaders so the sheep will become loyal to their new shepherds. What a joke!

He played a major role in pushing through "Abenomics", the prime minister's signature policies that sought to spur growth with bold monetary easing, fiscal spending and structural reforms.

The 71-year-old Abe loyalist has held the key post of chief cabinet secretary since 2012. Like Abe, who became the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history last month, Suga has held his post for a record term.

The above paragraphs indicate that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, will not politically behave and think independently. Suga san will follow, not lead.

Suga san responds negatively to constructive criticism, and the relevance of 100 sit ups per day? Can any alternative candidate complete 200? Does it matter?

What does Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga actually stand for?

His policies for education, welfare and social security, employment, the economy? It would be helpful to know.

If his big idea about economic rescue (expansion) is tourism, he'd better drop ALL restrictions on foreigners visiting Japan. And that's all this Canadian who visits the country for 6-8 weeks a year has to say. Except that I missed the birth of the first baby of a young couple, in March, thanks to that virus and its related shut-down. Needless to say, I'm a bit vexed, and more than just a bit doubtful of Suga's ability to do anything to resurrect Japan's failing economy, of which there's more to it than tourism.

Japan is no different to North Korea.

Really? Japan no different than the hermit kingdom? You would be in jail for posting something like that in DPRK. Or maybe shot with an anti-aircraft gun. Japan is many things but is it nothing even a little like the weird tyranny of North Korea.

 Needless to say, I'm a bit vexed, and more than just a bit doubtful of Suga's ability to do anything to resurrect Japan's failing economy, of which there's more to it than tourism.

To be fair I don't think there is an economist alive who knows how to achieve GDP growth in the face of demographic problems such as those Japan faces. Much of the developed world faces the same challenges Japan faces to varying degrees. Italy, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and soon China all face equal or worse demographic challenges that will lead to or are already causing economic stagnation. The male life expectancy in Russia is down to 59 and in its Arctic cities it is down to 53. Only France among the developed nations has a fertility rate sufficient to maintain their population. Australia, Canada and the US maintain their comparatively youthful populations through immigration but their native fertility rates aren't much different than that of China.

Uncle Reiwa....hmmmm

sit ups has to be an inaccurate translation of 腹筋。hes just do ab crunches, one hundred of which almost anyone can do. interesting also that he didn't say so himself. doing so might have hinted at some funky charisma

I do 1000 sit-ups a day.

However, I always count on base two, so it doesn't take me very long.

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

Totally agree. He comes from the same barrel as the lot of them. No real changes. Business as usual. Time for fresh younger blood sans oyaji-style leadership.

I am all for him as long as he is not a bootlicker like Abe.

Japan is a Eastern country which has lot to gain economically and politically by alligning with Eastern Allies,i.e China.

Japan needs to do away with US Military bases ASAP