Japan's Abe says did not want to cause trouble by resigning suddenly: Jiji

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he did not want to cause trouble by resigning suddenly but his ulcerative colitis has recurred and is at risk of worsening, the Jiji news agency quoted him as saying on Friday.

News of Abe’s resignation sparked broad surprise - both within his party and financial markets - sending Japanese shares lower.