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Satoshi Sugiyama
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 10, 2021
With Aso’s blessing, vaccine chief Taro Kono officially joins the LDP race
At a packed news conference on Friday, Kono touched on his achievements as the minister in charge of administrative reform and the vaccine rollout.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 9, 2021
Suga cites coronavirus response, not political quagmire, as reason to quit LDP leadership race
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday emphasized it was his desire to focus on the country’s pandemic response, and not a political predicament, that led him to abandon his re-election bid for Liberal Democratic Party president.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 7, 2021
Facing intraparty obstacles, Ishiba wrestles with role in LDP election
The former defense chief has long had ambitions to become prime minister, but his fraught relationship with the LDP could block his way — and change the race for everyone else.
Japan Times
PODCAST / deep dive
Sep 6, 2021
One and done — Prime Minister Suga’s sudden resignation
The Japan Times' political correspondent, Satoshi Sugiyama, discusses Suga's sudden resignation and who might replace him as prime minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 6, 2021
Kono emerges as top contender to replace Suga in polls as LDP race gains steam
With the party's popularity having taken a hit over the pandemic, and an election due to be held this autumn, public support could give a candidate a crucial edge in the LDP vote.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / First Person
Sep 5, 2021
A behind-the-scenes look at Suga’s shocking decision to quit the LDP race
Even to his inner circle, the prime minister had not disclosed his intent to quit the presidential race until just before the news broke.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 4, 2021
Suga's abrupt exit throws LDP race wide open
With Suga's withdrawal from the race, a significant obstacle has been removed for leading LDP hopefuls to enter the contest.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 4, 2021
Suga visits hospital for 'medical checkup'
The visit comes a day after the prime minister's stunning announcement that he will step down from his post.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 2, 2021
LDP leadership fight intensifies as Suga rival outlines COVID-19 plans
The former foreign minister backs enhanced PCR testing and electronic 'vaccine passports,' among other measures, while Suga is looking to tap the popularity of Japan's environment minister.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Sep 1, 2021
Suga denies plan to dissolve Diet and postpone LDP leadership race
Oct. 17 is now viewed as the likeliest election day, as it could go ahead without disrupting the LDP vote or creating a political vacuum by shortening lawmakers' terms.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 31, 2021
Suga locks up LDP support and tames party rival with shakeup plan
In pushing Secretary-General Toshiro Nikai toward the exit, Suga has bolstered his support base and punctured ex-Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida's momentum ahead of an LDP leadership poll.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 26, 2021
Fumio Kishida enters LDP leadership race as party sets voting plan
The former foreign minister has some advantages over potential candidates, but he would need the backing of Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso to stand a real chance.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 25, 2021
As his appeal wanes, can Suga be more than a caretaker prime minister?
Setbacks in by-elections, a lack of a political boost from the Olympics and criticism of his demeanor have put Suga on the back foot as he heads into an LDP presidential race.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Explainer
Aug 6, 2021
Japan changed its COVID-19 hospitalization policy: Here's what you need to know
Ambiguous statements by Suga created confusion around the policy shift, with the prime minister forced to clarify the situation following a backlash.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 5, 2021
Explosive COVID-19 surge rekindles debate over lockdowns in Japan
The idea of harsher restrictions and penalties has become a political football, with conservatives arguing constitutional revision is needed to enhance the government's powers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 1, 2021
Surging cases and virus fatigue upend Suga bid to shift public's focus
The administration's attempt to persuade people to look past the daily caseloads and treat COVID-19 as more of a seasonal infectious disease has hit a wall as cases surge.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 30, 2021
Japan's emergency expanded even as measure loses impact and support
With the latest measure, the Suga administration, well aware of the public's virus fatigue, wants to buy time to vaccinate as many people as possible to push cases downwards.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 23, 2021
As the Games begin, how is Japan dealing with COVID-19?
Although Japan is catching up to Western nations in the vaccine rollout, the more contagious delta variant and increased foot traffic is being blamed for driving up the number of new cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Jul 20, 2021
Moon’s Olympic absence points to protracted stalemate with Japan
Tokyo had been lukewarm on a visit, as it did not expect the South Korean president to propose solutions to festering grievances over historical, political and economic issues.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 19, 2021
South Korea’s Moon scraps plan to visit Tokyo for Olympics
Plans to hold the first in-person summit between the leaders of Japan and South Korea had hit a snag over a disparaging comment by a Japanese diplomat about the South Korean president.

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