Japan\`s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns

Shinzo Abe_ the longest-serving Japanese prime minister in history_ has resigned_ citing health reasons. Abe announced his resignation in a news conference on Friday_ in which he addressed his health after two recent hospital visits. The 65-year-old said he wanted to avoid causing problems to the government because of his worsening condition. "I have decided to step down from the post of the prime minister_" Abe said_ saying he was suffering from the same condition that ended his first term in office. "I cannot be prime minister if I cannot make the best decisions for the people." Abe has battled ulcerative colitis for years and two recent hospital visits within a week had fanned questions on whether he could stay in the job until the end of his term as ruling party leader_ and hence_ premier_ in September 2021. "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_" said Abe_ bowing deeply. 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_" he added. "I made a judgment that I should not continue my job as prime minister" said Abe. "I need to fight the disease and need to be treated." Following his previous resignation in 2007_ Abe was reelected in 2012. Since then he has been the dominant force in Japanese politics_ winning a landslide third term in 2017 and a fourth in 2019_ despite multiple scandals and plummeting popularity. Abe was born on September 21_ 1954_ in Tokyo to a prominent political family. Both his grandfather and great uncle served as prime minister_ and his father was a former secretary general of the LDP. He studied politics at Tokyo's Seiki University and the University of Southern California_ but initially entered business_ taking a position with Kobe Steel in 1979. Three years later however_ he became an assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs_ and in 1993 Abe was first elected to the House of Representatives_ aged 38. He was reelected seven times_ and held a number of cabinet positions throughout the 2000s. In 2003_ Abe became secretary general of the LDP_ and four years later the party's president and prime minister of Japan. His first term was marred by controversies and worsening health_ and he stepped down as party leader and prime minister in 2007_ eventually returning to both positions in 2012.