Former Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi resigned as a member of the House of Representatives on Friday due to ill health, as well as from his post as a special adviser to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, The Japan Today reported on February 4.
Kishi, the 63-year-old younger brother of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, had previously faced health problems while serving as defense minister from September 2020 to August 2022.
“My state of health has deteriorated rapidly, making it difficult for me to carry out my duties,” Kisi said in a statement, regretting leaving his post halfway through his term.
His resignation as a legislator for the Yamaguchi prefectural constituency is scheduled to be approved in the lower house plenary session next Tuesday, calling for by-elections in April.
A four-district by-election, including the seat previously held by Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Abe, is expected to take place on April 23.
Kishi’s decision not to seek re-election caught the attention of his supporters in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi prefecture, in December.
First elected to parliament in 2004 as a member of the House of Councillors, Kisi was later elected to the lower house in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term until his resignation takes effect.
He was seen with a cane and an automatic wheelchair when he was Secretary of Defense.
Following Kishi’s departure, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara will take over as special adviser to the prime minister on national security affairs, alongside his current duties.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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