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Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga intends to resign amid mounting criticism over his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, government sources said Friday.
The development came just under a year after Suga took office and as his ruling Liberal Democratic Party prepares to hold its presidential election on Sept. 29, with campaigning starting on Sept. 17. Suga will not run in the race, party officials said.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga arrives at his office in Tokyo on Sept. 3, 2021, wearing a mask amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The contest, which will now choose Suga's successor, comes ahead of a general election that must be held as the House of Representatives members' term expires on Oct. 21.
Former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has already thrown his hat into the ring, while Sanae Takaichi, a former minister of internal affairs and communications, has expressed interest in running.