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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe or 65-year-old man said he had decided to step down now to avoid a political vacuum as the country faces the new coronavirus outbreak.

Announced his resignation as leader of the world's third largest economy on Friday (28/8/2020). The resignation of Shinzo Abe, who was the Japanese Prime Minister with the longest term in office, was due to his health problems. I have decided that I will step down as prime minister, in the belief that I cannot continue as prime minister if I do not have the confidence that I can carry out the work entrusted to me by the people, "Shinzo Abe told a news conference.

“I apologize from the bottom of my heart that despite all the support from the Japanese people, I am leaving that position with one full year left in my tenure and amidst various policies and the coronavirus,” said Shinzo Abe.

This is the second time Shinzo Abe has stepped down as prime minister due to ill health. Previously, he also resigned in 2007 after one year as prime minister, due to illness.

Shinzo Abe has been battling ulcerative colitis for many years. His two visits to the hospital in a recent week have raised questions about whether he can stay in the job until the end of his term as leader of the ruling party and as prime minister until September 2021.

Shinzo Abe resignation will trigger a leadership race in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), whose winner will be formally elected in parliament in the next two or three weeks. The new party leader will serve as prime minister of Japan for the remainder of Shinzo Abe's term.

Media reports that former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida have expressed interest in Japan's number one position. Shinzo Abe's aide, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was also among the names to be named as a candidate for prime minister.

YouTube video of Shinzo Abe's resignation 👉

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