Shinzo Abe, 65, has quit as Japan’s Prime Minister due to health concerns. According to local media, he visited hospital at least twice this week due to exacerbation of his disease. Abe tweeted, “Thirteen years ago, my illness, ulcerative colitis, worsened, and I suddenly resigned from my post as Prime Minister in just one year. After that, fortunately, the new drug was effective, and I was in good physical condition. With the support of the people, I was given the responsibility of the Prime Minister again.” Abe has been suffering from a chronic medical condition since his teenage. His health conditions and subsequent ability to serve the country was being discussed since months as his tenure was slated to end in September, 2021.
Abe in a press conference told about his suffering from a chronic disease ulcerative colitis and announced his resignation. He said, “I have decided to step down from the post of the prime minister.”
Abe assures citizens to fulfil his responsibilities until the appointment of a successor. He tweeted, “Of course, until the next prime minister is appointed, we firmly fulfil that responsibility until the end. I hope to manage my physical condition by treatment and support the new system as a member of the Diet.”
He thanked people for their support and gratitude through twitter, “To all the people, thank you for almost 8 years.” According to reports of BBC, he apologized and wrote, “I would like to sincerely apologise to the people of Japan for leaving my post with one year left in my term of office, and amid the coronavirus woes, while various policies are still in the process of being implemented.”
Abe, Japan’s longest serving leader, recently surpassed the record of spending the maximum days in office after his great-uncle, Eisaku Sato served from 1964 to 1972 as Japan’s Prime Minister. He was elected as Prime Minister in 2012.