Abe apologises for political vacuum
Monday, 24 September 2007
TOKYO, Sept 23 (AFP): Hospitalised Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologised Sunday for creating a political vacuum after he abruptly announced his resignation earlier this month.
Abe failed to attend a meeting of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which picked Yasuo Fukuda, 71, a moderate veteran lawmaker, as his successor.
In a letter read out at the meeting, Abe pledged to work to support Fukuda, who will take office Tuesday.
"I apologise to party members and especially to all the Japanese people that I created this political vacuum after I announced my resignation at such an important time," Abe, who voted by absentee ballot, said in the letter.
"I beg you to excuse me for being absent from today's general meeting due to my lingering hospitalisation and medical treatment.
Abe failed to attend a meeting of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which picked Yasuo Fukuda, 71, a moderate veteran lawmaker, as his successor.
In a letter read out at the meeting, Abe pledged to work to support Fukuda, who will take office Tuesday.
"I apologise to party members and especially to all the Japanese people that I created this political vacuum after I announced my resignation at such an important time," Abe, who voted by absentee ballot, said in the letter.
"I beg you to excuse me for being absent from today's general meeting due to my lingering hospitalisation and medical treatment.