Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to resign, public broadcaster NHK said on Friday. The long-serving leader wanted to avoid causing problems for the government due to his worsening health condition.
Abe is likely to hold a news conference on Friday afternoon in which he might address concerns about his health after two recent hospital visits.
The 65-year-old leader has battled the disease ulcerative colitis for years.
Earlier this week, he became Japan’s longest continuously serving PM, after taking office in 2012.
Mr Abe is known for stimulating growth with his aggressive economic policy known as “Abenomics”.
