Tokyo: Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation on Friday, because of ill health thrusting his country, during Covid- 19 pandemic. Abe recorded a longest serving PM to Japan.

He announced his decision to step-down just four days after he had set a record for the longest uninterrupted run as Japanese leader, nearly eight years. Abe the sixth Prime Minister of Japan, he sworn-in as PM in 2012, and completed five years in the post, he had overseen Japan’s recovery from an earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear disaster.

The ruling Democratic Party is expected to appoint an interim leader until a leadership election can be held. Abe’s term was set to expire in September- 2021. During a news conference Abe said he would “Firmly executive my duty to the end” until a replacement was chosen. I apologies from the bottom of my heart that I am leaving the post, he said. At times he keeps up and blinked back tears.  Abe has battled uncreative colitis, a bowel disease, for many years and two hospital visits within a week and raised questions about whether he could stay on as Prime Minister.

Abe’s resignation painful: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said that PM Shinzo Abe leaves behind a unique legacy making India-Japan ties perhaps the closet in the world, an achievement driven largely by Abe. Responding to Abe’s resignation PM said in his tweet “Pained to hear about your ill-health, my dear friend @ Abe Shinzo. In recent years, with your wise leadership has become deeper and stronger than ever before”.