Shinzo Abe, Japan's Prime Minister is set to announce his resignation over health issues, local media reported on Friday August 28.

Japanese public broadcaster, NHK, said Abe intends to resign as his illness has worsened and he worries it will cause trouble in leading the country.

For many years, Abe has reportedly suffered from the disease ulcerative colitis, which is thought to have worsened recently.

Abe, 65, this week became the country’s longest-serving premier after taking office in 2012.

On Monday, he surpassed a record for longest consecutive tenure as premier set by his great-uncle Eisaku Sato half a century ago.