Tokyo: Fumio Kishida announced a Parliamentary election for October 31, soon after formally taking over charge as Japan’s Prime Minister in place of Yoshihide Suga who had resigned after just a year in office. The Japanese Parliament will now be dissolved on October 14, 2021.
The 64-year-old former foreign minister also announced his cabinet which largely constituted of allies of Suga’s immediate predecessor and former prime minister Shinzo Abe.
The immediate challenge before Kishida was to tackle the tricky COVID-19 issue that became the nemesis of Suga.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the world leaders who congratulated Kishida on his appointment as Japan’s Prime Minister. Modi said he was looking forward to working with him to further strengthen the Japan India Special Strategic and Global Partnership and advance peace and prosperity “in our region and beyond.”
US President Joe Biden in his congratulatory message recalled that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world and said the historic partnership between the two democracies and peoples “will continue to be a critical asset as we work together to take on the challenges of our time.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin in his congratulatory message said: “There is no doubt that promoting constructive cooperation in various spheres between Russia and Japan will serve the fundamental interests of our nations. I would like to reaffirm Russia’s commitment to dialogue and to working together with you on topical matters on the bilateral, regional and international agendas.”
– global bihari bureau
