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Japan PM, Shinzō Abe, quits for health reasons

Jacob Caballa
Sep 12, 2020
2 min read

RESIGNATION. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan officially steps down from his position due to his health condition. © Tingson

Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, 65, has resigned four days after he had set a record for the longest uninterrupted run as a Japanese leader.

Abe suffers from colitis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon; this was also the cause of his resignation back in 2007.

Shinzō Abe was born in a political family where both his grandfather and great uncle were Prime Ministers back then, and his father was the former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

In 1993, he was elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 38.

In 2003, he became the secretary-general of the LDP, and a year later, he was elected as president of the LDP.

At the age of 52, he was inaugurated into office as the Prime Minister of Japan in 2006 - this made him the youngest Prime Minister after World War II; he then continued to serve the position from 2012-2020, adding to a total of four terms.

His economic program, Abenomics, that boosted Japan’s economy, will still be implemented after his resignation.

During his time in the office, the country’s population was rapidly aging - more than one-third of the country was above 65 years old, and the low birth rate during his administration led to the decrease of people who can work.

One of the greatest achievements by the Prime Minister was the 2020 Olympics that was supposed to be held in the country, but was cancelled because of coronavirus disease restrictions.

Abe had strong relationships with America, back when Former President of the United States (U.S.), Barack Obama, was still in office.

He also tried to have strong ties with the current U.S. President, Donald Trump.

A dispute started between Japan and China when China tried to claim Senkakus island or Diaoyus island when the island was under Japan, but a phone call had a great effect on the relations of both countries.