Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has announced his resignation for health reasons.
He said he did not want his illness to get in the way of decision making, and apologised to the Japanese people for failing to complete his term in office.
He has suffered for many years from ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, but his condition has worsened recently, he said.

Last year, he became Japan's longest serving prime minister. His current period in office began in 2012.

In 2007 he resigned abruptly from an earlier term as prime minister because of his struggles with ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition that he has lived with since he was a teenager.
Mr Abe has a reputation as a staunch conservative and nationalist, and for stimulating growth with his aggressive economic policy known as "Abenomics".

He has strengthened Japan's defences and boosted military spending, but has been unable to revise the constitution's pacifist Article 9, which bans a standing army for anything other than self-defence.

Stability and scandal

Prime Minister Abe has long suffered from chronic ulcerative colitis. The disease forced him to resign in 2007 - the first time he headed the government.
Now, after weeks of speculation about him being absent from the public eye despite a worrying uptick in Japan's coronavirus cases, it seems he is resigning yet again due to the same illness.
As the longest-serving Japanese prime minister, he leaves behind a legacy of stability and a strong centralised power base that allowed forceful stimulus policies to revive the economy. He also improved relations with the US by courting President Donald Trump, often on the golf course.
Yet his government was also mired in scandal, including talk of favouritism and wilful destruction of public records. When the pandemic struck, his responses were often criticised as being slow, ineffective, and out of touch.

And perhaps importantly for Mr Abe, his cherished - and highly controversial - wish to revise Japan's pacifist constitution under his watch, has come to naught, at least for now.
2px presentational grey line

Why are there concerns?
Two hospital visits in one week sparked questions about whether Mr Abe's health was deteriorating. He had been due to serve until September 2021.
LDP officials have previously dismissed speculation that he would step down, saying the prime minister's health was fine.

On Tuesday one of his aides told Reuters that he thought Mr Abe would fulfil his tenure.
Closing ceremony - Maracana - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 21/08/2016. Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe is seen on stage.

Akira Amari, head of the LDP's tax panel, dismissed the suggestion that the prime minister would dissolve parliament's lower house for a snap general election soon.
"There won't be a snap election for the time being," he said.
Still, rumours have persisted about Mr Abe's growing fatigue as he fields growing scrutiny for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when approval ratings for his cabinet have dropped.

What happens if Mr Abe is incapacitated?
Under Japanese law, an acting prime minister would step in temporarily if Mr Abe were unable to perform his role, with no limits on how long they can stay in post.
Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is also finance minister, is first in line, followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
An acting prime minister cannot call a snap election but they lead on other matters such as treaties and budgets until a new party leader and premier is chosen.

What happens if Mr Abe resigns?
A resignation or an announced intention to resign would trigger a vote within Mr Abe's LDP to replace him as president.
This election would be followed by a parliamentary vote to elect a new prime minister.
The winner would hold the post until the end of Mr Abe's term in September 2021

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53943758

Japanese and strict work ethics... If it were Nigeria he would choose to work till he dies like Yar'Adua


.

Selflessness.

Our own Baba went to London hospital for 6 months.

In my own country, my president rather die there than resign...

My president no dey even give him Vp to take over coz him dey fear... He will rather pass the ruling of the country to his family members.


Thank God I didn't mention the name of my country b4 them start to dey find me


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Buhari and most african leaders would rather die than resign

as if there is no life after power.

Ok

Your Health is very important!!


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He resigned on health issues but here,the kind abracadabra wey dem go do,even God go shock
This desperate quest for power get as e be for this country...but wait oo,baba no too dey travel for medical again..I don't agree with IPOB rantings but this magic wen dem do on top buhari head,make I no talk
As mugu wey dem take us,dem say make we just sidon dey look,na there I dey since.

He was more concerned about his health than the post of the PM
Hard luck

A

SMH
this can't happen in Naija!

he resigned foe health reasons..wow
there is a country called Nigeria and a man name bubu,if you know u know

Ha

But in Nigeria 83yr old Buhari is clinging to power.

Wow in Africa they die on the seat


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Our thieftician will rather die in the position than resign because of looting

Buhari is really a strong old soldier. 79 and still going strong.

African will choose to die in that seat.

Buhari

Lol.

In Nigeria, people don't resign due to ill health; people actually get resigned by death. Even, dead people still occupy many offices of government and regularly appear on the payroll, eating off the dwindling resources.

Nigeria is an insult to collective intelligence and sense.

A MAN WHO VALUES HIS COUNTRY ABOVE PERSONAL GAINS

RIP to one of the best Leaders in our darling country Nigeria.
Late President Musa Yar'Adua.
He was a good man.
He lived a good life.

Posterity will remember him for all the good things he did for the short time he was our president, before the looters and criminals took over from him and left our nation in ruins.

Get well soon Japan PM.

If na Naija we die there.

simpleseyi:
Selflessness.

Out own Baba went to London hospital for 6 months.

It would take more than Buhari resigning to make things better in Nigeria

And what we need is a change in the basis of our economy. From resource dependent to industrial dependent.

Our president will rather go on medical your for months than resign from his born o rule throne


Infact.... No politician in Nigeria or Africa will take this step.... Unless the junta method is used on them....

If naa Naija , the President go stay for the seat till e go die on top

Our own would rather die there

Wish him quick recovery