Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced his resignation on Friday citing his health issues. He is the longest-serving PM in Japan’s history.
The 65-year old Shinzo Abe has resigned the post due to his poor health. He was suffering from “ulcerative colitis” for the past few years. In recent times he has visited the hospital very frequently. This created speculation in the country over his health. He said that he has decided to undergo treatment for chronic illness.
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Hence, he has decided to step down from the post of the Prime Minister though his term ends in September 2021. However, he did not name his successor from the party. This is the second time that Abe has stepped down from the Prime Ministerial post due to health reason only. He stepped down in 2007 due to inflammatory bowel disease. In 2012, he returned back as the PM by winning in the lower house.
World leader’s reaction over Shinzo Abe resignation
US President Donald Trump
I want to pay my highest respect to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe … a great friend of mine. I just feel very badly about it.
Russia spokesman Dmitry Peskov
Kremlin regrets that Prime Minister Abe has decided to step down,
the working relations between Abe and President Vladimir Putin as “brilliant”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
.@AbeShinzo has achieved great things as PM of Japan – for his country and the world. Under his stewardship the UK-Japan relationship has gone from strength to strength in trade, defence and our cultural links. Thank you for all your years of service and I wish you good health.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 28, 2020
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
I regret his resignation and wish him all the very best. We worked very well together.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen
Prime Minister Abe was always friendly to Taiwan, whether on policy or the rights and interests of Taiwan’s people – he was extremely positive. We value his friendly feelings towards Taiwan and hope he is healthy.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister Abe struck me as a person of great integrity. He has led by example and showed what hard work, passion, and care for others can achieve.
There is much Japan and New Zealand see eye to eye on. Our shared commitment to democracy and the rules-based international system makes Japan an important partner for New Zealand, especially in the Indo-Pacific region where we share common goals.
South Korea Presidential spokesman Kang Min-Seok
We regret the sudden resignation announcement of Prime Minister Abe, who has left many meaningful achievements as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, and has also especially played a large role for development in South Korea and Japan’s bilateral relations.
We wish the prime minister a quick recovery. Our government will continue cooperation with the new prime minister and the new cabinet for improved ties with Japan.