Japan: As the honeymoon ends, Suga faces test of his communication skills

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga walks past the Indonesian national flag as he arrives for a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Oct 21, 2020. - Reuters

TOKYO, Oct 25: More than a month since taking office, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s ability to communicate his political vision to the public is being tested, with his honeymoon period concluding in a controversy over his refusal to allow certain scholars to join a government advisory body, reports Kyodo.

The 71-year-old former chief Cabinet secretary, who pledged to continue the major policies of predecessor Shinzo Abe, had a solid start as prime minister. His Cabinet’s approval rating stood at more than 65% in media polls conducted shortly after he took over the post on Sept. 16.