Suga to resign; says he couldn't run for reelection and handle virus response

And thats actually alright by me.

He was assigned to take Abe’s place to begin with if I’m not mistaken.

Two quitters during Corona, is there anyone ready to lead Japan?

Suga should stay for stability. Other LDP members are even more questionable than Suga.

Bad for Suga, but his quick way-out is straightforward and life-saving for the LDP. Publicity will run high ahead of the general elections.

For Suga, please now focus on corona warfare.

Celebrate the arrival Prime Minister Kishida, if you think that's going to be much of a change.

Good riddance!

Well he obviously knew he would get thrashed in the election so he is quitting a.k.a running away just like Abe.

Whether it be Kishida or anyone else, as long as they are from the LDP, I doubt anything will change but let's hope Kishida fulfills his promise of helping businesses.

How about electing a young woman as a leader?

Good. He's been a terrible leader. But I guess Japan is back to revolving 1 year PM's. At least Abe gave Japan stability.

Blind Freddy could’ve predicted Suga’s decision not to contest the upcoming leadership ballot. He’s far better playing the stoney faced spokesperson apparatchik than in his present incarnation. The could do worse than putting the old warhorse in charge of communicating the content of the runes to the plebeians. In Japanese life, as we saw with his predecessor Abe, there is such a thing as a second act.

Is Abe's tummy fixed ?

Suga must have felt he has done his part to see through the Olympic Games. So..

But then where comes a new competent leader to replace him?

How about electing a young woman as a leader?

How about electing whoever is best qualified regardless of age, gender, BMI, shoe size or any other irrelevant metric?

Good idea. Guy wasn't much PM material to start with anyway.

How about electing a young woman as a leader?

It may happen in Japan, but not until about the year 2350.

thepersoniamnowToday  12:27 pm JST

And thats actually alright by me.

He was assigned to take Abe’s place to begin with if I’m not mistaken.

Two quitters during Corona, is there anyone ready to lead Japan?

Maybe, but doesn't matter. Any leader of any country during this pandemic is simply going to get pounded. In any democratic country anyway.

Damn, I don't want Abe coming back!

Love the way he turned his back to the media, sums up his attitude to the Japanese people.

Today at the executive meeting, (party) president Suga said he wants to focus his efforts on anti-coronavirus measures and will not run in the leadership election," 

Hard not to think of him as Abe’s fall guy. He carried the burden and wore a lot of scorn from all directions. Now this decision will regain some of his dignity and show that in his final days in the top seat he will focus on what needed to be the focus 18 months ago. Would be interesting to read his memoirs one day, and I bet he is not half the mug people think he is. Everyone of course, being an expert!

Otsukaresama desu it’s. Now the real race is on. Who’s it gunna be? Expats may be keen on Konosan for his humor and English skills! We shall see. Game on.

I knew it! and I said so! He was the fall guy for the Olympics. He's the one who's going to be blamed for the Olympics, but that was his job anyway. To take the fall. He's announced his intention to resign at the twilight of the Para Olympics. That says it all. He'll retire quietly with a lovely severance package and live the rest of his life comfortably while Kishi or Abe (I'm still thinking he'll parachute back) will pick up the mantle and continue with the Political Musical Chairs Game that is the Nippon Kaigi agenda.

What a pity! With Suga as president of the LDP, the general election would have looked bleak for the LDP. A new "old face" will get more votes from the people who are easily tricked.

Lotus, I bet this was the plan all along. Suga was there as the punching bag and fall guy for the Olympics. How else would a non Blue Blood strawberry farmer from Tochigi rise through the ranks to become the PM?

He's not one of the sacred cows. He's an expendable. And I don't mean the Stallone/Statham type- even if he does sit ups and karate.

There will be no change in policy.

Suga is nothing but a puppet to the LDP ruling coalitions. He is someone without dynastic background so is nothing but a fall guy during the difficult times.

And the LDP will be winning the general election in a landslide with 2/3 majority in seats for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if LDP outright captures 80% of the seats.

The hilarious machinations of the LDP, just wait to see what hopeless leader they pick next. I’m so glad it’s my premium Friday. I can laugh without being judged.

The Olympics ought to have been delayed by one year.

The revolving door of useless, self-serving idiots continues to spin.

Does it even matter?

The name and face my change, but the uselessness will remain.

Oh! Thank God.

Now I am happy as is

85% of Japanese

nationals.

He does what his party wants and his party wants what will be good for them in the election. And what's good for them at the polls will bring them money, sponsors, attention,...

There will be another dinosaur in the government/as PM, the only difference will be how right wing he is and how much noisy and radical he is. The more radical the positions and stunts, the more visible and popular he is here.

Best news of the year!

GaijinjlandToday  12:48 pm JST

At least Abe gave Japan stability.*

Yes, we could depend on him to consistently deliver a regular package of sleaze, corruption and incompetence.

What an absolute waste of space this guy was.

Leaders should inspire, and erm… lead. This guy seemed to bring nothing to the table at all. A dour, uninspiring, waste of everyone’s time.

Well, Suga does know shame it seems.

Still, this would be it harder for Yukio Edano.

A very sad day, indeed. He was the only one shielding us from total covidist takeover (lockdowns, vax passports, mass inoculation of the experimental drug). Now we will have to mobilise seriously against Kishida who wants to implement all that, in line with the covidist tyranny taking place in France, Australia, etc.

Regardless they change the PM again... this just shows how incompetent they are and are not worth having in government time to get rid of this corrupt excuse of a government any an all opposition parties can do a far better job than these clowns do not give LDP your Vote in this election or in the House of councilors election.

Refraining from voting is a mandate to let LDP Govern.

Another useless old Jiminto man bites the dust!

I'd prefer he didn't resign so there will be a possibility of LDP losing (although highly unlikely).

Japan suffers from the same affliction as the U.S - lead by a bunch of people, that ordinarily, would be seeking the state pension. Just like the U.S needs a gigantic clean out, both Democrat and Republican starting with the President on down, so does Japan.

Nobody over the age of 60 should be leading a country. Mentally and physically, there just not up to it.

Time for him to retire to a nice, smooth, warm rock to bask in the sun.

Could the other oyajis take the lead and resign aswell?

Suga took one for the team and was target practice for the criticism stemming from Ghosn case, the Olympics, and COVID pandemic, while Shinzo has been hiding under a rock until the "coast is clear" for his next attempt at rewriting the constitution and his family's wartime crimes.

Japan needs a real competent leader not more nepotism from the Abe and Koizumi families!

A few years ago there was a long period in western countries where leaders were getting younger (Cameron, Trudeau, Macron...) but things changed quite recently with the election of older people (Trump, Biden, Johnson...).

Emmanuel Macron is by far the youngest. Abe/Trudeau/Cameron are all now around 50 years old.

If someone came into the government with the same ideals as Abe then I think it would be good.

Buh bye. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

.....what a pathetic man this guy is.....off the charts!!!

Suga took one for the team... Abe owes him a ton... now lets wait and see the next LDP clown to be elected

"...the party is drawing straws to find the next candidate, with everyone hoping they don’t get chosen."

Ha! Ha! Ha! Excellent comment!

Is Abe's tummy fixed ?

His tummy conveniently went south as the pandemic started, so his tummy won't recover until the pandemic is over. Every PM from now until then is just collateral damage or a puppet, keeping the seat warm when Botchan returns.

My comment above got +9 and -9, so there seems to be a definite split of opinion here.

I remember someone on here saying after Suga was chosen that they were excited about the future because Suga and Biden were taking over lol How is that turning out?

Personally, I think Suga did a good job. He was not at fault, and the Olympics went off without a hitch. Corona is not something the government can control, so I don't blame him, and I appreciate the fact that he is making sure there is enough vaccine available.

I do not welcome Kishida's accommodating attitude toward China and South Korea. Ishiba is out of the question. My personal preference would be for Kono to become prime minister.

Weak weak weak. Why can’t anyone man up just giving up. Maybe a woman up is needed!

…poured all of my strength into dealing with the various problems facing the country, with anti-coronavirus measures at the forefront”,

Does that include the beeru pouring at the Ginza steak dinner party last year during the pandemic?

or he can retire ...

Loser! He was only put in the position as a scapegoat.

Kishida is coming out with some big promises. I remember Abe doing the same thing. They were all hollow, as I expect Kishida’s to be.

Rats always jump of a sinking ship.

He said he realized that running for election and handling the virus response would require "enormous energy."

"I came to the realization that I cannot do both. I had to choose one of them," he added.

お疲れ様 Mr Suga !

At least he tried but was a huge failure shoganai

i think a more accurate headline should have omitted ****run for reelection and 

This may have been more appropriate:

“Suga to resign; says he couldn't handle virus response”

While this change of ‘cover photo’ portrays ‘others showing respect’ to PMSuga, the perspective is intended to convey a ‘walk of shame’. - Media that never questioned his bumbling in the last year is now turning their back on him. - The people expressed their dissatisfacton but that same media ignore them as well.

Can he just step down immediately? Like, right now, tonight?

The sooner he's off my Tax payroll the better. It's not like there will be a leadership vacuum with him gone; we simply won't notice.

or does he have a few more Ginza Steacks to suck down before he gets the hell out?

It is the time LDP must change generations. Suga became the prime minister backed up by Abe and Aso. The two also have to go. A new prime minister should not be controlled by them. Olympic was not cancelled probably because the two insisted. Suga also could not break the wall of medical industries that enjoy privileges.

Finally, the weak 'leader' is gone. We need someone who tell it like it is, I'd say Aso.

Not to worry @blue 4:36p Kono has been positioned to be second “fall guy” in Japan’s vaccination debacle:

- “Yawn. Now Kono wants a stab at the job. A useless guy in a boring suit and a useless guy with Gordon Gecko suspenders. What fashion-style should one vote for?https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/95e253e74307d1a3246539160a4e8374a8a39158

I'm sooooo excited...

No one else is… Japan has given their power elite party ‘the keys to the kingdom’ and NOTHING will change.

Waiting to read the Japanese ‘citizen/voters’ weighing in.

Look! There’s one NOW. You have ‘a voice’ here. Please tell the working-resident taxpayers what we can really expect.

“Waiting to read the Japanese ‘citizen/voters’ weighing in.” -

See ya!

Well I'm sure he did his best well done mr.suga think people are unnecessarily talking trash about him

Good riddance to Abe’s lapdog. The man couldn’t do a SINGLE thing… nothing! Well, he could lie a lot about the pandemic, and run without taking any responsibility for its massive spread.

Your observation about the current state of affairs is ‘*thought-provoking’ @zichi 4:47pm **but wouldn’t it be more accurate to say “the low number of ‘reported’ ***deaths is remarkable…”.?

Are we to trust the information of was more ‘accurate’ information on Covid-related deaths squelched? -

@zichi 4:47pm: “The low number of covid deaths is remarkable but not sure how much of that success is to do with PM Suga and his government.” -

Not really a ‘shock decision’ was it?

What awaits Mr Suga?

Strawberries and steak and a nice raft of monetary benefits from the state courtesy of the tax payers of Japan.

Banzai!

THe next PM will still be the same performance and still people always complain.

151EToday  01:03 pm JST

How about electing a young woman as a leader?

How about electing whoever is best qualified regardless of age, gender, BMI, shoe size or any other irrelevant metric?

Quite so, that's how it should work but rarely does, in any country.

As for Suga san resigning, frankly I don't blame him one bit, thankless job being PM.

Suga or not, there will be no change on Japanese policies, I do not care at all.

‘Thanks’ for Your candor @vanityofvanities 4:37pm. What % of other Japanese voters would you say agree with this

- “It is the time LDP must change generations. Suga became the PM backed up by Abe & Aso. The two also have to go. A new PM shouldn’t be controlled by them. Olympic was not cancelled probably because the two insisted. Suga also could not break the wall of medical industries that enjoy privileges.” -

and will vote against them when the opportunity is given?

We are all tired of the other *@TATAMAETOKAHONNE*** **that only express what’s the ‘popular’ sentiment in the media at the moment.

Good riddance you inept idiot.

There needs to be more young blood in Japanese politics. The country isn't going to advance if it's constantly run by the older generation. They lack innovation, the ability to think outside the box, and are too afraid to take risks.

A few years ago there was a long period in western countries where leaders were getting younger (Cameron, Trudeau, Macron...) but things changed quite recently with the election of older people (Trump, Biden, Johnson...).

Trump and Biden definately. Mind you, half the U.S senate and House of Reps need to retire. Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell should be following Biden out the door. Both should have retired at least 15 years ago.

Johnson is 57. Not too old and highly frisky by all accounts...

I just hope Japan doesn’t go back to the days back in the 80’s where it seemed there was a new PM every few months, talk about instability.

He pressed holding the five ring games against all logic, very much contradicting his own so-called anti corona and virus handling course, and also against the big population’s majority. Now that’s the price, although paid a little late. Not to forget that he couldn’t even read correctly some pages someone else prepared and gave him to read. A big and important country like this simply can’t afford people at the top for a longer time, who are more rural colored , slightly illiterate-like and have got no international experience at all.

I wonder what his next job will be? He's too old to work in a conbini. A cleaner or security guard are two possibilities.

I see him as pure and upright as he was the sub-captain of Goju-ryu Karate team at his university.

Any top leader of any country wouldn't be able to do much in just 1 year during pandemic storms. He simply said the ultimately important job for him NOW to do is to contain the pandemic rather than bringing the mess of political campaigns during this pandemic .Those idiots cannot see this and even do not even know he has realized, at least, a few official promises (manifesto) . Don't even ask what they are.

a shock decision

it ain't. There was no way this indecisive son of a strawberry farmer/Abe lap dog would last.

Minister that wasn't prime in my opinion

Covid and Olympics over Abe is back

It doesn't matter. They'll just replace him with another one.

"Johnson is 57. Not too old and highly frisky by all accounts..."

I agree that 57 is not too old, especially for a PM.

But not "highly" frisky?

Are you absolutely sure about that?!

Geez is too hot to handle.

When the going gets tough, the Japanese PM gets going. The only shock about this is it wasnt weeks ago.

They should vote him in anyway.

I am mystified as to why Suga san did not follow in Abe sans wake and retire.

The LDP Presidency was the preverbal poison chalice day one.

When the going gets tough the tough resigns!!!?

I certainly appreciate the fact that Mr. Suga got the mobile phone carriers to lower there rates and got them under control, who knows what will the industry do next!! raise prices to where they were before or even more?? I hope the next PM will keep them in check too.

Is this his way of saying that he did not do all he should have done and done somethings he should not have done.

The worst Japanese PM since Tojo.

Obviously he couldn't handle the virus response and could he please stop making ridiculous announcements.

zichiToday  05:11 pm JST

Japan, and other countries of the region, have low levels of covid deaths especially compared with European countries and American countries. There isn't some kind of government conspiracy to hide the real numbers nor is there a massive jump in monthly deaths compared with other years.

Glad to read some reasonable comments not based on fearmongers' conspiracy theory, at this time it is pretty known by researchers who are at risk of dying, and who are not, from this virus and its variants.

""The son of a strawberry farmer and a schoolteacher, Suga was raised in rural Akita Prefecture in northern Japan and put himself through college after moving to Tokyo by working at a factory.""

That is impressive for sure, unlike most others who got a free ride in the government offices based on their father or grandfather reputation.

If you have to soon confront China, you’ll need a leader who can manage a real crisis.

The stable of geriatrics within the LDP better take notice. Picking another bag-holder won’t suffice considering what’s soon to hit Japan.

Dinosaur is good to go

His downfall was holding the Olympics! He could have made himself the strongest and best PM by standing up to Bash and telling him that Japanese life is more important than the Olympics and cancelling it! He really missed his chance to shine and ended up being a weak leader with no sense of direction! He dropped the ball big time!

Suga was selected to take the rest of Abe's term as prime minister due to Abe resigned one year earlier. So Suga is supposed to be a temporary prime minister. LDP is scheduled to hold election of leader of LDP in September anyway. Lower House election is held in October and winner party choose a prime minister.

I think a new political party needs to be in power, rather than just another LDP bureaucrat PM.

Japans decline in the last 30 years has been phenomenal, and a new approach is needed.

Will more foppery at the Yaskuni shrine help? Lol

The Catholic church meditates in centuries, the J political ruling government past and present has pondered the waving political swords, cultural conflicts in millennia.

Reform is an anathema, it is something one treads in and subsequently wipes of their shoe.

Fumio Kishida is a reflection on past failure, writ large.

No coherent fiscal/economic policy. a crazy pass the parcel until the music stops.

He fulfilled his role. Hold the Olympics, then retire. Mission accomplished.

How about a 40 yr old woman in power this time? Ok, I know it will never happen in Japan, but that would show the world.

Suga san must remain PM.

Fumio Kishida pledge of an economic package with "tens of trillions of yen" is economic and monetary delinquency.

Cases in Tokyo are almost completly down, why quit now bro, you solved it?

I wonder what his next job will be? He's too old to work in a conbini. A cleaner or security guard are two possibilities.

I can see him driving a taxi or returning to Akita to farm strawberries.

Under the circumstances, the Olympics went well, Covid cases are now decreasing, in offering to resign he proves he is not a power hungry LDP politician . . . .

The important question is: is Abe running again?

zichi:

Japan, and other countries of the region

Can you please stop putting Japan in the same category as 'other' countries of the region. Japan is doing far far worse than Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Or perhaps you were referring to the Philippines.

Dinosaur is finally resigning

What?! But things are going so well! #Baffled

Good riddance to the unelected and reactionary man without a plan.

The one party state will continue with voters not blaming the party. It's really incredible how long they can keep the charade going

So what more does he need to do for COVID response?

Japan has weathered COVID well. Vulnerable have been vaccinated. Everyone else that wants it can get it. There are other tools to combat COVID, if needed.

Japan's future looks bright.

His explanation is a bit of a mystery to me.

"couldn't handle virus response"

its over, all decent US peeps, join in and help each.

We all knew suga was just a stop gap PM but clearly he didnt really do anything other than show up & read from a few scripts......at least a couple decades ago Toshiki Kaifu surprised us with some effort!!!

blueSep. 3  11:58 pm JST

What did Japanese voters want again from the LDP? "Stability" I think they called it...

Well, they're probably going to keep their Diet majority, keep on filling up the pork barrel for their supporters, and keep the same geriatric non-entities in the Cabinet. All that's going to change is the geriatric non-entity who's nominally in charge. That's stability, LDP-style.

The problem is not Suga. The problem is the LDP. And the fact that they sleep with the Keidanren. I am certain that Kishida will spend all your and my tax money on stuffing the pockets of Japan inc. While he will happily give you the middle finger with a grin on his face.

you). So the corruption continues as usual.

How much longer can the sclerotic Jimintou hold onto power?

So far Suga san has not proved to be a convincing leader who can manage the country and stir it into the right way. Japan did not look good at the international political platforms. Now the way should be clear for a new generation - younger more progressive leader (perhaps a woman would be best for this mail chauvinistic country) who is willing to make the change.

It makes it sound like Suga couldn't do two things at once, when he couldn't even do one thing at once

Got that right ! Hard to multi task if ya can't keep the eyelids open with

I just find out Abe is not running again. Best news of the week.

To Jtsnose

Covid Cases are now decreasing?

It’s only stagnating for the status -quote .

Recorded High Level different from so far has no changeable .

Probably Declare extends again.

And moreover who can’t get vaccination a lot as ever there gonna be Suga’s blunder response .

Suga ended politician already being made crumbled ?

He can’t do election campaign due to nobody does back him against his credibility .

He should be one wolf even stand up the next general election exactly as stand down the party election .

So in other words, he’s useless?

Prime-minister Suga is wise, he loves his people.