Profiles of Contenders in the Race for New Japanese Prime Minister

TOKYO, KOMPAS.com – Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party confirmed that it will vote on a successor to replace Shinzo Abe on September 14 following his resignation.

Due to worsening health conditions, the Japanese Prime Minister announced he was stepping down on August 28.

With the leadership race in the world’s third-largest economy on, there are three strong contenders expected to face off in the polls.

Read also: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Resign Citing Health Problems

Yoshihide Suga

Yoshihide Suga is the frontrunner after years as a close advisor to Abe and a powerful role overseeing policy.

His job as chief cabinet secretary involves coordinating between ministries and agencies, as well as being the government's top spokesman.

While the role has been a stepping stone to the leadership in the past, 71-year-old Suga claimed repeatedly before Abe's resignation that he was not interested in the top job.

Read also: A Successor Emerges to Replace Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

A self-made lawmaker in a party of hereditary politicians, Suga was raised in northern Japan, the eldest son of a strawberry farmer.