The Big Picture: Japan's PM Race & what it means for India

Japan’s chief government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, moved a step closer to becoming the next premier when the ruling party decided on Tuesday on a slimmed-down leadership vote that favours the long-time lieutenant of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Suga has also won the backing of the largest faction of the Liberal Democratic Party, the media reported, making him a strong front-runner to replace Abe, who announced on Friday he was stepping down for health reasons. Suga, 71, would be widely expected to stay the policy course set out by Abe, including the “Abenomics” strategy aimed at reviving the economy and keeping it afloat amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. A self-made politician, Suga was chosen by Abe in 2012 for the pivotal role of chief cabinet secretary, acting as top government spokesman, coordinating policies and riding herd on bureaucrats.Suga’s most likely rivals for the top spot will be former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba and ex-foreign minister Fumio Kishida. In this edition of The Big Picture we will analyse Japan's search for a new PM and what it means for India.

Guests:
1. Vishnu Prakash, Former Ambassador
2. Harsh V. Pant, Head, Strategic Studies, ORF
3. Prof. Srikanth Kondapalli, Center For East Asian Studies,JNU

Anchor: Frank Rausan Pereira

Producer: Sagheer Ahmad