I apologize to the people for failing to change the constitution and solve the problems of the Japanese who were kidnapped by Pyongyang
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns due to health reasons
Shinzo Abe is the most retained prime minister of Japan. A.F.B.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving prime minister in the country, announced his resignation yesterday for health reasons, ending his assumption of the leadership of the third largest economy in the world after he sought to revive its growth and strengthen its defenses.
Abe (65 years) said in a press conference: "I decided to resign from the premiership because I think that I cannot continue in the position unless I have confidence in my ability to perform the duties that the people have entrusted to me."
He added that he has decided to resign now to avoid a power vacuum at a time when the country is coping with the repercussions of the new Corona virus.
He said, "I apologize from the bottom of my heart because despite all the support from the Japanese people, I will leave the post before the end of my term for a full year."
Abe said he feels "deep regret" for failing to change Japan's constitution, which renounces war, to conclude a peace treaty with Russia after World War II, on the basis of regional discord, or to solve the problems of Japanese citizens who were kidnapped by Pyongyang a decade ago.
This is the second time that Abe resigns due to his health condition, as he resigned from the position in 2007 after spending one year there, and for health reasons as well.
Abe has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years, and his frequent visits to the hospital twice within one week recently raised questions about whether he could remain in office until the end of his term as party leader and prime minister in September 2021.
Various governments have expressed regret over Abe's resignation.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin regrets the resignation, describing the working relations between Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin as "wonderful."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also expressed her regret over Abe’s resignation and told reporters, “I am sorry for his resignation and I wish him all the best.” We worked well together ».
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Abe’s record and wrote on Twitter: “Shinzo Abe has achieved great things during Japan’s premiership, for his country and for the world.” He added, "Thank you for everything you have provided during the years of service, and I wish you good health."
South Korea also expressed regret and said that Abe played a strong role in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Abe’s resignation sets a race for leadership within the LDP, and whoever formally wins it will have to be elected in parliament. The new leader of the ruling party will lead the country as prime minister for the remainder of Abe's term. Media reported that former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida have shown interest in occupying the position, and among other names on the table is Abe's close advisor, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
On Monday, Abe broke the record for the longest consecutive term in office as prime minister, which his great-uncle Isako Sato had held half a century ago.