In a Straits Times article about Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s plummeting popularity, Research Director Sota Kato noted that the chances of “him still being prime minister at the end of 2021 is quite bleak.”

“Divine winds” (kamikaze) will be needed to blow on two fronts, Kato commented. “First . . . the economy makes a V-shaped recovery” thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, and “Second, the Olympics can be successfully held, causing a feel-good effect.”

“The public came to see Mr. Suga as a prime minister who is unable to take the initiative,” Kato added. “He needs to be more accountable, and to pray for the divine winds to blow.”

“Will Suga Still Be Japan’s PM at End of the Year?” Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/will-suga-still-be-japans-pm-at-end-of-the-year

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