In an article published Monday in the monthly Bungei Shunju magazine, Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe apologized for abandoning the prime ministership a year into his term in 2007 but insisted he is a changed man and deserving of another chance.
Abe, who would likely become next prime minister if the LDP wins the Dec. 16 general election, quit abruptly five years ago amid a series of scandals involving his Cabinet ministers, a plummeting support rate and health reasons.
With the possible exception of Yoshihiko Noda, every prime minister since has departed about a year after taking office.