Standing behind the podium with a solemn expression on his face, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke of his struggles with ulcerative colitis and announced his sudden resignation in late August — a move that raised many questions about Japan’s future.

Of all the things Abe could have said in the moment, his mind wandered to North Korea and the Japanese abductees who might still be alive there. 

“I would like to say my apologies to the people of Japan,” Abe said towards the end of his speech as he bowed. “I wasn’t able to solve the abduction issues involving Japanese