The Japanese government decided on Tuesday to call an extraordinary Diet session for October 4 to determine a new prime minister to succeed Yoshihide Suga, who is to resign at the end of September.

The presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) scheduled for September 29 is expected to effectively decide the next prime minister, as the LDP controls the powerful lower house of parliament.

Four candidates have announced their bids for the leadership – former foreign minister Fumio Kishida, former communications minister Sanae Takaichi, vaccination minister Taro Kono as well as Seiko Noda, acting executive secretary-general of the LDP. 

The next House of Representatives election is expected to take place in the months after October 21, when the term of members of the current lower house expires.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga meets the press in Tokyo, September 17, 2021. /CFP)