Polls show Japan's ex-defence minister most popular as next PM | News24

While the public backs Shigeru Ishiba to take over from departing Shinzo Abe, he lacks support within the ruling party.

Former Japanese defence minister Shigeru Ishiba tops opinion polls for the next prime minister.The election will be held around 13 to 15 September.

Ishiba has about 34% of the public's support, more than double the 14% for Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the second-most popular choice, a weekend Kyodo News survey showed. Suga - a longtime lieutenant of Abe's in a key supporting role - is expected to get the backing of the faction led by LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai and of other major factions, local media reported.That would make it an uphill battle for Ishiba, a rare critic of Abe within the LDP who mounted an unsuccessful challenge against him in the party's last leadership race in 2018.

Abe's resignation announcement on Friday, citing the worsening of a chronic illness, set the stage for the leadership election. Public broadcaster NHK said the contest was likely to place around 13 to 15 September.

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