Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving premier, said on Friday he was resigning because of poor health, ending a stint at the helm of the world’s third-biggest economy during which he sought to revive growth and bolster its defences.
“I cannot do this and I made a decision to not continue my job as the Prime Minister,” he told a news conference.
Abe has battled the disease ulcerative colitis for years and two recent hospital visits within a week had fanned questions on whether he could stay in the job until the end of his term as ruling party leader, and hence, premier, in September 2021.
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 will hold the post for the rest of Abe’s term.
German Chancellor Merkel expressed regret on Friday at the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and wished him well.
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