Yoshihide Suga confirmed as Japan prime minister as Abe defends 'proud' legacy

MPs approve Suga as PM, as outgoing leader promises support for successor who vowed to continue his policies

Yoshihide Suga has been installed as Japan's prime minister and promised a reform-minded, hard-working" cabinet as the outgoing leader, Shinzo Abe, defended his record.

The 71-year-old Suga, who served as Abe's right-hand man for almost eight years, has promised to leave economic policy largely unchanged as he attempts to steer Japan out of a deep recession and bring the coronavirus pandemic under control less than a year before Tokyo is hoping to host a postponed summer Olympics.