Japan ruling party sets September 14 vote on PM Abe’s successor

TOKYO: Japan’s ruling party will vote on Sept. 14 on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s replacement, an official confirmed Wednesday, as powerful chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga consolidated his frontrunner status in the race.
The Liberal Democratic Party’s general council approved the date at a meeting, with candidate registration set for Sept. 8, an official told AFP.
A parliamentary vote that is expected to endorse the LDP’s new leader will confirm the country’s next prime minister, most likely on Sept. 16.