Japan's longest-serving Premier Shinzo Abe resigns over health issues

Japan's longest-serving Premier Shinzo Abe resigned on Friday over health issues.

Abe's term was about to end in September 2021.

The Japanese PM said that he would resign to undergo treatment for chronic illness.

He added that he's suffering a recurrence of ulcerative colitis.

Abe, who turns 66 next month, had visited the hospital twice in the last two weeks.

This had created speculation that Abe's health was deteriorating.

The outgoing Japanese PM did not name a successor.

This is the second time when Abe will leave his Prime Ministerial post.

Abe had previously stepped down in 2007 due to inflammatory bowel disease.

Abe then returned to the post in 2012 after a win in the Lower house.