Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Longest-Serving Prime Minister, Resigns Due To Ill-Health

TOPLINE

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister, is resigning for the second time— and one year before his term is set to end—due to chronic health issues, his party confirmed on Friday.

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

“I have decided to step down from the post of the prime minister…I cannot be prime minister if I cannot make the best decisions for the people,” Abe said on Friday.

Key background

Abe became Japan’s youngest prime minister in decades when he entered office aged 52 in 2006. But his first term ended amid claims of unpopularity and poor health, leading to his resignation and years of political instability as the nation saw five different leaders come and go. Abe eventually returned in 2012, kicking off an uncharacteristic eight year-long tenure marked by strengthening ties with the U.S. and President Donald Trump, his nationalist approach, increasing defense spending and a strong focus on the economy. His hallmark “Abenomics” approach to the economy—with a heavy reliance on monetary and fiscal policy—earned critics who say he was not focused enough on long-term growth, while Japan’s nine month-long recession, which has seen GDP reach its lowest levels in more than 10 years, has effectively brought his efforts back to square one. 

What to watch for

Abe will hold a press conference on Friday to set out his decision, NHK reports.

Big number

3,167. That’s how many days Abe has served in office in total. Abe officially became Japan’s longest-serving prime minister on Monday by consecutive days.

Further reading

Prime Minister Abe intends to step down (NHK)