Abe "Will Fulfill Responsibilities Until Next Prime Minister Is Appointed"... Official Resignation Announcement (Comprehensive)

"Resigning Due to COVID-19 Situation... I Sincerely Apologize"
Regarding the Election of the Next President, "It Is Not for Me to Say"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe officially announced his resignation at a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on the afternoon of the 28th, stating that he will fulfill his responsibilities until a successor is appointed. He expressed regret to the public for resigning amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but explained that he decided to step down due to the relapse of his chronic illness, ulcerative colitis, which made it impossible to continue performing his duties. Regarding the selection of the next Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, who is expected to become the next prime minister, he said it is a matter for the LDP to decide and refrained from further comment.

At the press conference broadcast live nationwide by NHK and other Japanese media at 5 p.m. on the 28th, Prime Minister Abe explained, "I am resigning due to a relapse of my chronic illness, ulcerative colitis, earlier this month," adding, "If I make a serious political mistake while my physical strength is not fully recovered due to illness and treatment, it would be unacceptable." Previously, during his first term in office, Abe also resigned prematurely in September 2007 after only one year in power due to ulcerative colitis.

Abe sincerely apologized to the public for resigning amid the severe disaster situation caused by COVID-19, stating, "I will take full responsibility until the next prime minister is appointed." He expressed deep regret about stepping down without resolving the abduction issue and constitutional revision, which he had emphasized as top priorities during his administration, saying, "It feels painfully like a severed limb," but added, "I believe my successor will handle these matters."

Regarding the selection of the next LDP president, who is effectively expected to become the next prime minister, Abe avoided commenting, saying, "This is not something I should speak about." It was reported that just before the press conference, Abe requested the LDP's top leadership at an emergency board meeting to promptly elect a successor. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the timing and format of the election for the new president were entrusted to LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai. Nikai stated that he would review the matter as quickly as possible and decide at the party convention.

Japan, which adopts a parliamentary cabinet system, appoints the prime minister through a vote in the House of Representatives, with the leader of the majority party typically becoming prime minister. Once the LDP president is elected, it is expected that the Abe cabinet will resign en masse and a general election will be called. Unless there is a major upset in the election, the new LDP president is expected to succeed Abe as prime minister.

Accordingly, the political moves of figures who have been called the "post-Abe" candidates are attracting attention. The most prominent candidates mentioned are former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Kishida, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. The LDP is scheduled to elect a new president next month and immediately proceed to a general election.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.