일본 오늘 '포스트 아베' 선출... 스가 관방장관 유력

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga, is almost certain to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this week,... with voting for the ruling party's leadership set to begin in the coming hours.
If he wins, as expected, Suga is likely to be appointed PM on Wednesday.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, is the overwhelming favorite to become the new president of the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday,... succeeding outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
He's on course to secure nearly 70 percent of the party's votes.
Suga enjoys a commanding lead over his two rivals,... a former Defense Minister and an LDP Policy Research Council Chairman.
Suga, who has been Abe's right-hand man for years,... said he will continue to consult with Abe for diplomacy,... highlighting that continuity is key.
"There are complex issues between China, South Korea, and other neighboring countries, but it shouldn't be a choice between one or the other. We need to strategically form relationships with these countries and communicate regularly. That's the kind of diplomacy I want."
He emphasized the importance of the Tokyo-Washington alliance,... describing it as crucial to establish and maintain good relationships with other Asian countries.
The new LDP president is almost certain to become Japan's next prime minister,... as the party holds a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives,... the important lower chamber of the Diet, or the country's parliament.
Voting in the LDP race is set to begin at 2 p.m. Monday,... and the Diet is scheduled to elect the new prime minister on Wednesday,... when it kicks off an extraordinary parliamentary session.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.