Towards Shinzo Abe's Resignation From Japan's PM Chair

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister (PM) of Japan Shinzo Abe expressed his intention to resign following his health problems. Abe is said to have conveyed this intention of resigning to party officials and executives in government.

Launching CNN, Friday, August 28, Hiroshige Seko, a senior executive at the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) said Abe had conveyed his intention to resign to party officials. Japanese media, NHK also conveyed the same thing. Abe is said to have announced his intention to resign.

On Monday, August 24, Abe reportedly underwent a medical at the Keio University Hospital in Tokyo. The visit is his second visit in a week.

Abe suffered from colitis, an incurable inflammatory bowel disease. The illness forced him to resign during his first stint as head of state from 2006 to 2007. He became Prime Minister again in 2012. Abe is Japan's longest-serving head of government.

According to the Japan Times, Abe's latest report showed his condition had deteriorated since July, before deteriorating in early August. That sparked fear within the ruling LDP.

They predict that Abe may not be able to continue in office. This has sparked speculation about who will replace Abe.

Abe's replacement speculation

Before news of Abe's resignation broke out, LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai said that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was a strong candidate to replace Abe.

"He has great abilities," said Nikai.

But Nikai also added that LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida and former LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba are also likely competitors.

In a survey conducted over the weekend, 23.3 percent said Ishiba should be the next PM. Meanwhile 11 percent said Abe must stay put.

Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi followed with 8.4 percent, Defense Minister Taro Kono 7.9 percent and Kishida 2.8 percent.