Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he will resign due to poor health
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Friday he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy.
"I have decided to step down from the post of the prime minister," he told a press conference, saying he was suffering from a recurrence of the ulcerative colitis that ended his first term in office.
"It is gut wrenching to have to leave my job before accomplishing my goals," added Abe.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
The national broadcaster NHK had reported that Abe would resign earlier on Friday, saying that he wanted to avoid causing problems to government due to a worsening of his chronic health condition.
Speculation about Abe's health and tenure had risen after he made two visits to a hospital recently. He has battled the chronic disease ulcerative colitis for years.
Read more:
Japan’s Abe returns from second hospital visit, says to do his best at his job
Remains found at Japan mass grave suggest 1800s epidemic centuries before coronavirus
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe goes to hospital, health concerns raised
Also Read
-
Remains found at Japan mass grave suggest 1800s epidemic centuries before coronavirus
Archaeologists have dug up the remains of more than 1,500 people, many of them believed to have died in an epidemic, buried in a 19th century mass ... Variety -
Japan’s Abe returns from second hospital visit, says to do his best at his job
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday said he wanted to do everything to maintain his health and do his utmost at his job, making brief remarks ... World News -
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe goes to hospital, health concerns raised
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe went to a hospital on Monday for what Japanese media said was a regular health checkup, although the visit ... World News
