A man passes television monitors displaying a live broadcast of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announcing his resignation in Tokyo September 12, 2007. Embattled Prime Minister Abe, struggling after a bashing at the polls and suffering low support rates, said on Wednesday that he would resign. (Agencies)

A woman reads a special edition paper reporting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision that he would resign in Tokyo September 12, 2007. Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Abe, struggling after a bashing at the polls and suffering low support rates, said on Wednesday that he would resign. The headline reads "Prime Minister Abe is going to resign." (Agencies)

A businessman looks at an electronic monitor displaying the Nikkei's close and a news report of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announcing his resignation in Tokyo September 12, 2007. Japanese stocks ended in negative territory on Wednesday after the shock resignation of Prime Minister Abe, with the Nikkei average down 0.5 percent as thin trade and political uncertainty took their toll. (Agencies)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves after delivering a speech in Tokyo in this May 16, 2007 file photo. Abe has told executives of his ruling coalition he intends to resign, broadcaster TBS said on September 12, 2007. (Agencies)