Japan: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns for health reasons

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3 min

Political thunderclap in Japan. At 65, the Prime Minister announced on Friday August 28 his intention to resign due to health problems. Two recent visits to the hospital have raised speculation about his ability to stay in power. Caught up by his old chronic intestinal disease which "is likely to worsen", indicated Shinzo Abe, he wants to avoid "disrupting the national political scene".

Publicity

His resignation is an upheaval in Japanese political life. Shinzo Abe has held his post since 2012, a longevity record for a Japanese Prime Minister. But he has no obvious successor. In recent days, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga had also tried to brush aside speculation about a hasty departure.

This faithful of the Prime Minister had again repeated this Friday morning to expect Shinzo Abe to announce on the contrary his intention to "  work hard  " while taking care of himself, and had reaffirmed not to have seen any signs of deterioration in his health during of his " daily  " interviews  with him.

Observers also expected Shinzo Abe to want to stay in office until the end of his third and final term as President of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) scheduled for September 2021.

The head of government first announced his resignation during an emergency meeting of his Liberal Democratic Party (PLD). “  I heard his plan. It was sudden and unforeseen. I'm flabbergasted,  ”Tomomi Inada, MP, PLD executive and close ally of Shinzo Abe, who was present at the meeting, told reporters . According to her, the Prime Minister will remain in office until the designation of a successor, probably after a vote of the deputies and members of the PLD.

Already resigned in 2007

Shinzo Abe had already left power for health reasons, recalls our correspondent in Tokyo, Frédéric Charles . In 2007, his first stint at the head of Japan was brief: barely a year. Since the age of 17, he has suffered from ulcerative colitis, an incurable bowel disease. Since his return to power in 2012, a drug has allowed him to alleviate his intestinal disorders. But the disease reappeared.

Even after two hospital visits in a week, the Prime Minister was determined to remain in power until the end of his term in September 2021. If only to crown himself with the success of the holding of the Olympic Games in Tokyo set for summer 2021, if they will take place.

Popularity at its lowest

The Tokyo Stock Exchange gives up 1.4% on the announcement of his resignation. Father of "Abenomics", a growth strategy, Shinzo Abe embodied political stability. He had been in power for seven and a half years. A historic record. Before him, Japan changed its prime minister every 17 months on average. During his reign, the Tokyo Stock Exchange doubled in value.

Since the beginning of the year, however, its popularity has been at its lowest. The Japanese criticize its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, even though Japan is less affected than other countries.

► See also: Japan: alarming rumors about the health of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

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