TOKYO _ Yoshihide Suga, the front-runner in the race to become Japan's next prime minister, is widely seen as a continuity candidate, but his past statements suggest he is a reform advocate who could shake up some of the country's cosier industries if given a long enough mandate.
Abe's staunch right-hand man has already called for greater competition among mobile phone carriers and hinted at the need for consolidation of the regional bank sector. While Suga has indicated he would stick to the Abenomics path that includes massive monetary stimulus and a flexible spending approach, he has also said more action will be taken if needed to save jobs.
Assuming Suga becomes premier, he will first need to steer the economy back to a recovery track after its record pandemic-induced slump.
The logic of maintaining stability in the middle of a crisis suggests Suga won't turn upside down the most recent Abe Cabinet lineup if he wins, but any major new appointments and his own replacement will be closely scrutinized to gauge how strongly he wants to leave his mark on policy.
Ahead of the ruling party elections, here are some of his recent and past comments:
