Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly received a phone call from Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga about his decision, announced Friday, that he would not run for reelection as president of the Liberal Democratic Party. Suga is said to have told Abe he is "stepping down for the sake of the party and the country," after which Abe told people close to him, "It is very regrettable."
LDP Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai told reporters at the LDP headquarters: "The prime minister made the decision after careful consideration. We will take it seriously and work to link it to the party's harmonious development."
The party's Policy Research Council Chairman Hakubun Shimomura, who had considered but given up on running for the presidency, said, "Since the situation has changed, I will consult with my colleagues again."
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