Toggle open close
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga assumed the mantle of Japanese prime minister amidst growing regional security threats, continuing COVID-19 effects on public health and the economy, a critical financial situation, and lingering structural economic problems. Given the extent of these challenges, one wonders whether to offer Suga condolences rather than congratulations.
Suga’s predecessor, Shinzo Abe, implemented a visionary foreign policy, strengthened Japan’s alliance with the United States, and undertook an increasingly firm security stance against Chinese and North Korean threats. Suga will continue Abe’s policies, but may do so with less enthusiasm for expanding Japan’s regional and global security role. Suga vowed to continue the “Abenomics” strategy to stimulate the economy, but he will have to adapt to undo the dire economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.