Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday said he would run for leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), formally entering a race he is already heavily favored to win to become the next prime minister.

A longtime aide to outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Suga said he decided to stand for party leader to avoid a political vacuum during the coronavirus pandemic.

Abe announced his decision to resign last week, citing poor health. The LDP's majority in the lower house of parliament ensures the party's next leader will succeed him as prime minister.

Reuters