KAS Japan Weekly Covid-19 Update

Yesterday (August 24), Shinzo #Abe became #Japan 's longest continuously serving PM with 2,799 days in office. This represents Abe’s strength. (He already had become the longest serving PM last November, totaling the days in office in his 1st term) Cabinet #reshuffling is expected in September. Key messages are: 1) Two backbones in the Cabinet will remain. #LDP SG Nikai may be replaced by Abe’s favorite successor, Kishida. Meanwhile in the LDP some voice that he may keep the Cabinet over the growing concerns on Abe’s health condition. 2) #Covid-19 is giving him hard time and his disapproval rate is highest ever. 3) One more year left as LDP President / practically as PM. Whether he can dissolve the Lower House before the end of the House’s term and if the Olympic Games will take place in a ‘complete form’ are uncertain.