TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday announced he would step down, citing ill-health after a recurrence of ulcerative colitis.
He announced his resignation in a news conference on Friday, in which he addressed his health after two recent hospital visits. He said he wanted to avoid causing problems to the government because of his worsening condition.
“I have decided to step down from the post of Prime Minister,” Abe said, saying he was suffering from the same condition that ended his first term in office. “I cannot be Prime Minister if I cannot make the best decisions for the people.”
On Monday, Abe marked his 2,799th consecutive day in office since bouncing back to leadership in late 2012 for a second term and became Japan’s longest-serving leader, beating a record set by his great-uncle Eisaku Sato half a century ago.
Abe said he would not comment on his potential successors, but said the next leader should continue to work on fighting the coronavirus. The resignation will trigger a leadership race in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) – most likely in two or three weeks – and the winner must be formally elected in Parliament. The new party leader would hold the post for the rest of Abe’s term.