(CNN) If Shinzo Abe was perhaps born to be Japan's prime minister, the path to political stardom for his potential successor was hardly guaranteed. Japan is not a presidential system -- the country's leader is chosen by parliamentarians, so the next LDP leader, whoever that is, should have an easy path to becoming prime minister. Suga and Abe's careers have been tied for nearly a decade since the latter became prime minister in 2012. JUST WATCHED Looking back at Shinzo Abe's political career Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Looking back at Shinzo Abe's political career 02:43Suga's rap has changed little since that campaign. If chosen to be prime minister, Suga is expected to be something of an "Abe substitute," said Kazuto Suzuki, a vice dean and professor of international politics at Hokkaido University.

Source: CNN September 14, 2020 00:55 UTC