Free Republic

Japan's prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, has said he will not run for re-election as party leader this month, signalling the end of his tenure. Mr Suga had been appointed to the role just a year ago following the resignation of Shinzo Abe. The shock announcement comes as Mr Suga's approval ratings dropped to an all-time low. Japan - which is still under a state of emergency - is now grappling with its worst ever Covid wave. The country, which has now seen more than 1.5 million virus cases, has also seen a slow vaccination roll out. The decision to host...

On Friday, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga was welcomed to the White House as part of the first diplomatic summit of Joe Biden’s presidency — but Biden was not the one to welcome him to the United States. Instead, Suga was greeted by Vice President Kamala Harris. ... The strange, awkward greeting was met with alarm from Cutis Houck, the managing editor of NewsBusters, who tweeted that “If Vice President Pence welcomed and then showed the head of a major U.S. ally and global power around the White House and not President Trump, CNN and MSNBC would have melted down...

Vice President Kamala Harris met separately with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday morning during his visit to the White House complex. Harris first welcomed Suga to the United States prior to their meeting in her office in the Executive Office Building across the street from the White House.

Japanese lawmakers have elected Suga Yoshihide as the next Prime Minister. Here's a look at the life of the country's new leader. Nearly every day for the past eight years, Suga Yoshihide has taken questions from reporters. Especially in times when the government faced tough criticism -- from allegations of corruption to unpopular policy decisions -- the top spokesperson seemed unflappable. Then, he took this step into the glare of the public eye. Suga unveiled Japan's new era name: Reiwa. It's an uncommon honor, which made millions look at the Prime Minister's trusted aide and adviser in a new light....