New Japanese Leader Seeks to End ‘Curse’ of Revolving-Door Premiers
- Front-runner to succeed Abe will benefit from weak opposition
- Election win would probably propel him to second term
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The last time a long-serving Japanese prime minister stepped down, the country saw about six leaders in quick succession who each only managed to last for about a year.
Shinzo Abe, who is set to hand over power on Wednesday, then brought stability over an eight-year period that saw him become Japan’s longest-serving prime minister. The challenge now is for his designated successor, Yoshihide Suga, to continue that run.