In the nationwide public opinion poll conducted by the Nikkei on April 23–25, respondents were asked who they think would be most appropriate to serve as the next prime minister. Minister of State for Regulatory Reform Taro Kono topped the list, with 24% of respondents selecting him. Former Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba was second at 16%, and Minister of the Environment Shinjiro Koizumi was third at 14%.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fourth at 8%. The top four picks were unchanged from the January poll. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, at 4%, fell one place to 6th place. Former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Kishida ranked fifth at 5%.

Among LDP supporters, Kono was first, followed by Koizumi, Abe, Ishiba, and Suga.

Prime Minister Suga’s term of office as LDP president expires at the end of September, and the party will hold a presidential election by that time. Diet members belonging to the LDP as well as LDP party members and fraternity members nationwide have the right to vote in the presidential election.