Shinzo Abe’s Successor Faces a Slew of Challenges in Leading Japan

Abe's successor is likely to lead the LDP in a general election that must be held by October 2021 and could come sooner.

The weakness of fragmented opposition parties helped Abe hold power by leading the LDP-led ruling bloc to repeated election victories, and the LDP is expected to hold a majority in the next election.

But whether it can keep its nearly two-thirds majority in the lower house is a question and will likely hinge on the coronavirus, the economy, and the new leader's image.

If the LDP does badly, it may choose a new leader, reviving revolving-door premierships that plagued Japan before Abe's nearly eight-year rule.

(Writer: Linda Sieg | Editor: Robert Birsel)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-politics-abe-challenges-explain/whoever-takes-over-next-japan-pm-faces-daunting-challenges-idUSKBN25R0OG