Fall of Japan PM Suga triggered by criticism over pandemic, failure to communicate
The Peninsula
TOKYO - When Yoshihide Suga took over as Japan's prime minister last year, hopes were high that skills honed over years as a keen backroom operator, and a common touch from his rural roots, would enable him to lead his nation through the pandemic.
Instead, the virus surged back amid a rocky vaccination rollout and a series of "states of emergency" that did little to stop the spread of the more contagious Delta variant. Suga, 72, also insisted on holding the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed from last year, despite widespread public opposition. But his support rates sank below 30% ahead of a ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race and general election this year.More Related News