Japan PM Shinzo Abe to resign due to health reasons, reports local media

The Prime Minister is also expected to hold a press conference on Friday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is most likely to resign from his position owing to prolonged illness he has been facing. According to Reuters, the 65-years old Sinzo Abe wants to avoid any problems caused to the government because of worsening of his chronic health condition. It is to note that with his increased visits to hospitals, it has been speculated by many if Abe will be able to continue with his term.The Prime Minister is also expected to hold a press conference on Friday where he is expected to discuss the growing concerns regarding his health along with new guidelines for the management of Coronavirus pandemic. He will be appearing in public today after June.

Abe has been dealing with the chronic condition ulcerative colitis since he was a teenager. However, there are not many details regarding his recent hospital visits, as he has only given statements that he wanted to take care of his health. However, on the stepping down as Prime Minister, there has been no official indication as of now.

Since 2012, Abe has been serving as the Prime Minister of Japan and is known for his ‘Abenomics,’ an approach for easing the monetary burden and flexible fiscal policy aimed at reviving the economy.

Meanwhile, according to a report by Bloomberg, if Abe steps down, there are some candidates in Japan who are likely to become the successor and these candidates includes Shigeru Ishiba, who is Japan’s former defense minister, Taro Kono- current Defense Minister, and Yoshihide Suga, who is chief cabinet secretary among others. The report said if a new Prime Minister takes the reigns, Japanese policies on monetary front to China ties can be tweaked but not with drastic changes.