Shinzo Abe resignation: Where does this leave Japan?

The first record was the total number of days in office, exceeding in two distinct time periods Katsura Taro's previous record spread over three. The second record was for the longest continuous stretch as Prime Minister, which saw him surpass Eisaku Sato's run from 1964 to 1972. The "official line" is that Abe chose to leave due to his resurgent ulcerative colitis. However, it is strongly suspected he would have originally intended his departure to be made after the 2020 Olympic Games with its associated prestige, by when he would also have exceeded both the records. Why 'old scho...