Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, says he is resigning because a chronic illness has resurfaced.

Japan’s prime minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his intention to step down due to declining health, according to reports from Japanese media.

Shinzo Abe became Japan’s longest-serving prime minister in terms of consecutive days in office, but there was little fanfare, as he visited a hospital for another check-up amid concerns about his health.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe went to a hospital for what Japanese media said was a regular health check-up, although the visit generated renewed worries about his health.