Abe 'sorry' for sudden departure

Mr Abe has been in hospital since quitting as prime minister

Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has apologised for his sudden resignation 12 days ago, which threw the country into political confusion.

He spoke from hospital in Tokyo, where he has been treated for stress-related stomach problems since quitting.

Yasuo Fukuda, 71, was chosen to replace him by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Sunday.

Mr Fukuda, who has already begun filling party posts, is expected to be made PM by parliament on Tuesday.

I decided that I did not have the strength to meet my responsibilities as prime minister Shinzo Abe

Mr Abe, 53, looked frail as he read his statement from hospital, with two doctors in close attendance.

"I would like to apologise to the people for causing trouble to them," he told the televised news conference.

"I regret that I couldn't meet people's expectations."

Deteriorating health

He admitted his resignation "came at the worst possible time" - just days after making a major policy speech.

But his year-long premiership had been plagued by ministerial scandals that culminated in disastrous upper house election losses in July.

Yasuo Fukuda is due to be made PM on Tuesday

Mr Abe, who entered hospital on 13 September, the day after stepping down, said he regretted not being more open about his health problems when he quit.

"After seeing my health deteriorate over the past month, I finally came to the conclusion that I had reached a physical limit," he said.

"I decided that I did not have the strength to meet my responsibilities as prime minister."

He expressed a desire to carry on as an MP, and is expected to attend Tuesday's parliamentary session, which is virtually guaranteed to confirm Mr Fukuda as Japan's new leader because of the LDP's control of the powerful lower house.

Mr Abe congratulated his successor, saying he believed the next leader would "vigorously enact policies that will benefit the people".

'Revive trust'

Earlier in the day, Mr Fukuda named three allies for the party's top positions.

Education Minister Bunmei Ibuki will replace Taro Aso, who ran against Mr Fukuda for the party leadership, as party secretary-general - the number two position.

Former Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki will head the party's policy think-tank, while former Trade Minister Toshihiro Nikai will remain in place as head of the party's General Council.

Mr Fukuda denied claims he had chosen the three men because they were members of friendly factions, saying: "I placed the right people in the right positions considering the current political situation."

He added: "We have to revive trust in politics. Unless everybody takes firm action, it will be difficult for us to get through the current circumstances."

Although a cabinet reshuffle is expected on Tuesday, analysts predict few major changes and believe defeated leadership rival Mr Aso is unlikely to make an immediate return to politics at the highest level.

Mr Fukuda told journalists on Monday that nothing had yet been decided.