Japan’s vaccine minister Taro Kono emerges as front-runner to become PM, newspaper polls suggest

Former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is popular among the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s members, is reportedly considering backing Kono

Kono has long been a favoured candidate and has made no secret of wanting the job, but party elders are wary of his outspokenness and maverick tendencies

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Taro Kono has emerged as the front runner to replace Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:27pm, 6 Sep 2021Updated: 10:31pm, 7 Oct 2021

Taro Kono, Japan’s minister in charge of fighting Covid-19 and a top choice of voters for Japanese prime minister, may also pick up the backing of a popular ruling party heavyweight in the race for party leader, broadcaster TV Asahi said on Monday.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s shock announcement on Friday that he was stepping down has thrown a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race set for September 29 wide open, with an array of candidates – including two women – considering runs.

The LDP’s majority in parliament guarantees the winner will become prime minister. Former foreign minister Fumio Kishida, 64, is the only candidate to throw his hat into the ring so far.

Kono has yet to formally declare his candidacy but media reports say his intention to run is strengthening. Former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is popular among LDP grass-roots members, is considering backing Kono instead of running himself, TV Asahi reported, without citing sources or further details – a move that could significantly increase Kono’s chances of winning.

Kono sidestepped the issue at a Monday news conference on Japan’s vaccination drive, saying only that in the case he did run he would make sure it had no impact on his current duties, including a vaccine roll-out in a nation where not quite half have been fully inoculated.