Yoshihide Suga Elected as Japan's PM to Succeed Abe

Yoshihide Suga was elected in an extraordinary parliamentary session on Wednesday, as Japan's new prime minister to succeed Shinzo Abe, who resigned earlier because of ill health.

Suga, who was chief Cabinet secretary in Abe’s government, is to name his own Cabinet later Wednesday, and is expected to form a Cabinet filled with ministers who served under Abe.

The new Prime Minister was elected by both chambers of parliament, winning 314 votes in the 465-member lower house and 142 votes in the 245-member upper house, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Suga has said he will pursue Abe’s unfinished policies, and that his top priorities will be fighting the Corona virus and turning around his country's economy battered by the pandemic.

Suga also has stressed his background as a farmer’s son and promised to serve the interests of ordinary people and rural communities.

The newly elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party had been chosen as leader of the ruling party on Monday.

Abe, 65, has ulcerative colitis disease and his current treatment requires IV injections. He said earlier that his condition has improved but, he decided to resign facing ongoing treatment and physical weakness.

He said before the change was official that he will support Suga’s government and he thanked the people for their understanding and strong support for the upcoming leadership under Suga.

“I devoted my body and soul for the economic recovery and diplomacy to protect Japan’s national interest every single day since we returned to power,” Abe told reporters. “During this time, I was able to tackle various challenges together with the people, and I’m proud of myself".