Yoshihide Suga becomes Japan's new Prime Minister

A weakness for sweets and a hundred sit-ups a day are two of the defining features of Yoshihide Suga, who has lived in Shinzo Abe's shadow for almost eight years and now has the opportunity to shine a light on the world. Suga, 71, is an oddity because, unlike many Japanese leaders, he has not got where he is thanks to the help of relatives involved in politics, but has carved out his future from nothing, from the humble origins he boasts.

e is the eldest son of a strawberry farmer in Akita Prefecture (north) and entered politics late, but well, because he became the right-hand man of Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, and is now his virtual successor. Yoshihide Suga has been precisely the most visible image of the Abe Administration: he has appeared twice a day as minister spokesman, almost always with a serious countenance. However, in recent days, in the midst of the internal election campaign, he has been lavish with smiles.

However, in recent days, in the midst of the internal election campaign, he has been lavish with smiles.There is a historical image associated with Suga: on 1 April 2019 he showed the world the characters of the word "Reiwa", the name of the new era that Emperor Naruhito would inaugurate a month later following the abdication of his father, Akihito. As a result, Yoshihide Suga is affectionately called "Reiwa Ojisan" (Uncle Reiwa).

Suga was born on 6 December 1948 in Yuzawa, Akita, but after finishing high school he moved to Tokyo to work in a cardboard factory. He then began studying law at Hosei University, the cheapest option available, and still financed his studies by working part-time at the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo.

It was also from that university that he graduated who is considered his first political godfather, Umekichi Nakamura, then president of the lower house of the Diet (Parliament), who introduced him to a number of leaders to build his career. Politics first brought him to the Yokohama City Council at the age of 38, and from there to the lower house of the Sejm (Parliament) nine years later, a position to which he has been re-elected seven times.

In Shinzo Abe's first government (2006-2007) he was minister for internal affairs and communications, but that administration lasted barely a year. But Abe's return to power in 2012 gave him the most trusted position a prime minister can have in Japan, chief of staff and minister spokesman. In the almost eight years he has been spokesman, he has given more than 3,200 press conferences.

Unlike other political leaders, Suga does not now belong to any of the factions of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Even so, he has managed to build up the support of most legislators. He is known for some hobbies, although he only acknowledges one clear one: "My hobby is work," he says. But he has other, well-known hobbies, especially his love of pancakes and a sweet Japanese dish, "daifuku", a rice cake filled with a sweetened red bean paste.

Yoshihide Suga does not drink alcohol and takes great care of his health. Years ago a doctor told him that he had to lose weight, because he had reached 77 kilos, and from then on he started daily 40-minute walks, which he rigorously follows. He complements this exercise with karate, his favourite sport, and a hundred sit-ups. These are activities that describe his discipline, although he falls down in front of sweets. "I can eat them about three or four times a week, sometimes at night," he admits. It's a good way to combat the bitterness of politics.