Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s rejection of six candidates for the Japan Science Council has triggered charges that the new administration is curtailing academic freedom. All six were critical of government policy when Suga was the chief cabinet minister.

But the move could signal Suga’s resolve to undo outdated practices, Research Director Sota Kato told the Straits Times. The prime minister’s “awareness for reforms is quite strong,” Kato said. “He has the know-how and personal connections to eliminate resistance from businesses or other groups with vested interests.”

“Controversy hits Suga, just 2½ weeks into tenure as PM,” Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/controversy-hits-suga-just-212-weeks-into-tenure-as-pm

Profile of Research Director Sota Kato
https://www.tkfd.or.jp/en/experts/detail.php?id=29