Japan PM Abe resigns due to illness with many issues unresolved
KYODO NEWS
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday he will resign due to a flare-up of his chronic intestinal disease, ending his nearly eight-year stint as Japan's longest-serving leader, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, with many of his political ambitions unrealized.
Abe, who just four days ago set a record of staying in power for 2,799 consecutive days, will leave office without achieving his long-cherished goal of amending Japan's pacifist Constitution or seeing the Tokyo Olympics due to be staged next summer while still the country's leader.
"As I am no longer in a condition to respond confidently to the mandate of the people, I have decided I should not stay in the prime minister's post," the 65-year-old said at a nationally televised press conference.
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