While many LDP leaders have declared their support for Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in the upcoming party presidential election, there are lingering doubts about how hard they are “committed to their words,” Research Director Sota Kato told the Straits Times.

“The loss of the Yokohama mayoral election alone may not impact his destiny,” Kato said about the setback on August 22, “but since the LDP has lost virtually all elections recently, it will reaffirm LDP backbenchers’ belief that they cannot win with Suga as a leader.”

“Yokohama Picks Opposition Candidate over Suga’s Ally for Mayor,” Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/yokohama-picks-opposition-candidate-over-sugas-ally-for-mayor

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