Suga Yoshihide, Japan’s new prime minister, promises continuity

HISTORICAL ROLE models say a lot about political leaders. Suga Yoshihide’s is Toyotomi Hidenaga, the younger brother and right-hand man of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the better-known warlord who united Japan in the 16th century. As Abe Shinzo’s loyal chief cabinet secretary for nearly eight years, Mr Suga played a similar behind-the-scenes part, excelling at mobilising Japan’s sprawling bureaucracy. Despite his powerful position, he was unrecognisable to many voters until last year when he revealed the name of Japan’s new imperial era, earning the moniker “Reiwa Ojisan”, or Uncle Reiwa.