Kono Taro is emerging as the favourite to succeed Mr Suga as PM. While Kishida and Takaichi are viewed as safer hands by LDP party elders, the outspoken Kono’s popularity with the public gives him the edge on the eve of a general election where the ruling coalition fears losing seats. And if rumours that Ishiba Shigeru will not stand and instead back Mr Kono turn out to be true, then that would leave neoliberal reformer Kono as the clear frontrunner. While we expect a relatively large supplementary budget to be compiled in October regardless of who wins, each of the four main contenders are likely to take differing approaches to structural reform.
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