The government is considering convening an extraordinary session of the Diet on Oct. 4 to choose Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's successor, sources said Tuesday as the race among hopefuls in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party heated up.
The winner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race on Sept. 29 is set to be voted in as the party and its junior coalition partner Komeito control the powerful House of Representatives.
Suga abruptly announced his resignation last week after less than a year in office, amid mounting criticism over his COVID-19 response.