After serving as Japan’s prime minister during the longest uninterrupted period in history, Shinzo Abe is contemplating the possibility of resigning due to fitness issues, several local media outlets reported on Friday. He himself showed the report later in the morning. What happened: Abe, 65, who has been prime minister since December 2012, allegedly vomited blood at his workplace in early July and then went to the hospital for what his staff described as a “normal check,” according to mainichi, a Japanese newspaper. The Prime Minister was already leaving office in 2007 due to a chronic disease, which is believed to be ulcerative colitis. “Even though I have a year left to join my mandate and there are demanding situations ahead, I have made a decision.” resign as prime minister, ” said Abe at a press convention. “For almost 8 years I controlled my chronic disease, however this year in June I had a normal checkup and there was a sign of the disease. I felt I deserve not to continue my paintings as Prime Minister. I want to fight the disease and the desire to be treated.” Why it’s important: the Nikkei 228 index dropped 1.21% to 22,928.53 at the time of publication following the announcement of the prime minister’s resignation. Abe’s state of health has fuelled uncertainty as it did not hold a press convention for about 50 days between mid-June and early August, even though he had been asked about the Japanese government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, Mainichi noted. The 2020 Olympic Games, to be held in Tokyo, were postponed until the summer of 2021 due to the pandemic. The prime minister had tried to revive Japan through the games. “I want to create a dynamic for Japan to rise,” Abe said, referring to the 1964 Olympics that catapulted the country into good economic fortune after World War II, the Japan Times reported. Learn more about Benzinga: Facebook says Apple might not let it tell users. Tax App Store’: Tesla is the limited company targeted by an accused Russian hacker, Musk attests that Benzinga does not offer investment advice. All rights are reserved.