Now that many of the LDP's most powerful factions have coalesced around him, experts said Mr Suga appears to have an almost insurmountable lead in the race.
And whoever inherits the top job will face a raft of challenges, from the coronavirus pandemic and a tanking economy, to ensuring the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games can go ahead.The LDP has opted for a scaled-back leadership vote that will not include rank-and-file members, instead polling only MPs and three representatives from each of the country's 47 prefectures.
Experts said the format favours Mr Suga, who lined up support even before he made his candidacy official. He has been close to Mr Abe for more than a decade, and was a key voice encouraging him to run again after a disastrous first term in office that ended in 2007.READ MORE
NEW: The American Journal of Medicine just accepted in pre-press a study confirming that early treatment with Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin helps to significantly reduce widespread hospital resource consumption, morbidity, and virus mortality rates.
It's the opportunity now for Japan to closely stand with America to take down the Chinese Communist Party which is the origin of COVID19. Then all the problems will be solved: the economy will recover and the Olympic games can continue.