Commenting on the LDP presidential election slated for mid-September, Research Director Sota Kato told the Straits Times that Suga is the runaway favorite, noting that the only remaining questions is whether Kishida and Ishiba can attract enough votes so they can stage another run, “perhaps next year.”

“LDP election a three-horse race, with Suga the runaway favourite,” Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/ldp-election-a-three-horse-race-with-suga-the-runaway-favourite

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