Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo at a press conference in Tokyo on August 28, 2020. (Photo: AFP / VNA)

Abe said he will stay on as prime minister until his successor is chosen. His Liberal Democratic Party is expected to decide party presidential election at a plenary meeting on September 1st. Former foreign minister, Fumio Kishida, has announced his running for the Party leadership election.

South Korea said on Friday the sudden resignation of Japanese Prime Minister came as a regret as he has played an important role for bilateral relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that China is willing to push forward with Japan the healthy development of the China-Japan relationship. Press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov commented on Abe’s decision to resign that Abe’s contribution to the development of bilateral relations between Moscow and Tokyo is invaluable. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson applauds what Abe has achieved as Japan’s Prime Minister.