The Intelligence from The Economist After Abe: Japan’s new prime minister
Sep 15, 2020
Noah Snyder, Japan correspondent and former member of Abe Shinzo’s team, discusses the challenges facing new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, including revitalizing Japan's sluggish economy. Natasha Loda, Health Policy Editor, dives into the implications of the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO during the pandemic, questioning global health cooperation. The conversation also touches on the WHO's pandemic response and cultural tensions surrounding dog ownership in Islam, painting a vivid picture of current global dynamics.
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Suga's Humble Beginnings
- Yoshihide Suga's background differs sharply from his predecessor, Abe Shinzo.
- Suga, son of a strawberry farmer, worked his way up from a cardboard box factory to the national parliament.
Suga's Reformist Focus
- Suga's rural upbringing shaped his focus on economic reform.
- His career reflects efforts to boost competition, reduce regulations, and revitalize Japan's economy.
Suga's Economic Plans
- Suga aims to manage COVID-19 fallout and continue Abenomics, maintaining loose monetary and fiscal policies.
- He's suggested digitizing government services and acknowledged the need for a consumption tax hike.