Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet resign, clearing way for his successor to take over after parliament confirmation

TOKYO (AP) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet resigned Wednesday, clearing the way for his successor to take over after parliamentary confirmation later in the day. Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, announced last month he was stepping down because of health problems. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, long seen as Abe’s right-hand man, was chosen Monday as the new head of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, virtually guaranteeing his election as prime minister in a parliamentary vote Wednesday because of the party’s majority.