For Satoshi Sugiyama's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
The 20-minute phone call offered a glimmer of hope that the ties between the two Asian countries may finally improve after having come to a standstill.
Suga's reported Cabinet appointees underscore how he has embraced the label of being Abe’s heir for the sake of continuity.
Taro Aso, Toshimitsu Motegi and Toshihiro Nikai will remain, as Japan's next leader looks to tap Katsunobu Kato, public face of the novel coronavirus fight, as spokesman.
The current chief Cabinet secretary won by a landslide in the party poll, all but guaranteeing his spot at the top.
Yoshihide Suga, Shigeru Ishiba and Fumio Kishida entered the home stretch Saturday, touting their policies during the final debate of the brief campaign.
The leadership election will be held next Monday, with the new prime minister expected to be named at an extraordinary Diet session set to be convened on Sept. 16.
A Japan Times article looks back on Shinzo Abe's time as prime minister of Japan.
The former defense minister pledged to retain the best of Abe's legacy, addressing wealth gaps while adopting a clear-eyed but hawkish stance on regional security.
The LDP leadership contender also took a subtle swipe at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose policies have been criticized as polarizing.
This is part one of a two part look at the end of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's time in office.
