Japanese longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has resigned, citing health reasons.
He announced his decision at a press conference in Tokyo on Friday, while apologize to the people of Japan for being unable to fulfill his duties during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Even though there is one year to go in my tenure and there are challenges to be met, I have decided to stand down as prime minister,” he said.
Abe suffers from colitis, a non-curable inflammatory bowel disease, which was also a factor in his sudden resignation as prime minister in 2007, ending his first term after just over a year in office.
On Monday morning, Abe visited Keio University Hospital in Tokyo for what was his second hospital visit in a week.
“For almost eight years I controlled my chronic disease, however, this year in June I had a regular check-up and there was a sign of the disease.
“I made a judgment that I should not continue my job as prime Minister.
“I need to fight the disease and need to be treated,” Abe further said.
Source: CNN
