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Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, announced on Friday he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy.
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"I have decided to step down from the post of the prime minister," Abe told a press conference, saying he was suffering from a recurrence of the ulcerative colitis that ended his first term in office.
In a country once known for its short-tenured prime ministers, Abe's departure would mark the end of an unusual era of stability that saw Abe strike up strong ties with President Donald Trump even as Abe's ultra-nationalism riled the Koreas and China. While he pulled Japan out of recession, the economy has been battered anew by the coronavirus pandemic, and he has failed to achieve his cherished goal to formally rewrite the US-drafted pacifist constitution because of poor public support.
Abe is a political blue blood who was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. His political rhetoric often focused on making Japan a “normal” and “beautiful” nation with a stronger military and bigger role in international affairs.
Hiroshige Seko, a party secretary general for the Upper House of the parliament, confirmed that Abe told party executives he is resigning as prime minister.
Seko said Abe said he decided to resign in order not to cause trouble. Abe is scheduled to hold a news conference later Friday.
Concerns about Abes chronic health issues, simmering since earlier this summer, intensified this month when he visited a Tokyo hospital two weeks in a row for unspecified health checkups.
Abe, whose term was to end in September 2021, is expected to stay on until a new party leader is elected and formally approved by the parliament.
Abe became Japans youngest prime minister in 2006, at age 52, but his overly nationalistic first stint abruptly ended in disappointment a year later because of his health.
In December 2012, Abe returned to power, prioritising economic measures over his nationalist agenda. He won six national elections and built a rock-solid grip on power, bolstering Japans defence role and capability and its security alliance with the US. He also stepped up patriotic education at schools and raised Japans international profile.
The longest-serving PM
Abe on Monday became Japans longest serving prime minister by consecutive days in office, eclipsing the record of Eisaku Sato, his great-uncle, who served 2,798 days from 1964 to 1972.
But his second hospital visit Monday has accelerated speculation and political manoeuvring toward a post-Abe regime.
Abe has acknowledged having ulcerative colitis since he was a teenager and has said the condition was controlled with treatment. He has not made clear if that condition is related to his recent health issues or hospital visits.
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and sometimes polyps in the bowels. People with the condition can have a normal life expectancy but serious cases can involve life-threatening complications.
After his recent hospital visits were reported, top officials from Abes Cabinet and the ruling party said Abe was overworked and badly needed rest.
His health concerns added to speculation that Abes days in office were numbered; his support ratings were already at their lowest levels due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its severe impact on the economy, on top of a stream of political scandals.
There are a slew of politicians eager to replace Abe.
Shigeru Ishiba, a 63-year-old hawkish former defence minister and Abes archrival, is a favourite to be the next leader in media surveys, though Read More – Source
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