Japan PM Yoshihide Suga decides to step down after surging Covid cases

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has decided to step down after surging Covid cases

Suga announced on Friday said he would step down, setting the stage for a new premier after a one-year tenure marred by an unpopular Covid-19 response and rapidly dwindling public support.

Mr. Suga told reporters: “Running in the race and handling coronavirus countermeasures would have required an enormous amount of energy,”

Japan’s government has faced criticism from the public for hosting the Olympic Games during a pandemic.