Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday his successor Yoshihide Suga would extend his time in power by leading the ruling coalition to victory in the next general election.

"At that point, of course he should stay in office," Abe said in an interview with Kyodo News.

Suga became prime minister in September by easily winning the race for leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. But as he is merely serving out the remainder of Abe's term, he will soon have to fight for the job again.