Prime Minister Abe of Japan gave up his position because of attacks...from within.
The PM suffered from ulcerative colitis - a bowel illness cause by ulcers. He has had the problem for more than 36 years, since he was 17.
Abe wrote - I rushed to the lavatory after having keen abdominal pains and saw the basin all red with tremendous bleeding. Bleeding causes slight anaemia. More than anything else, though, you feel depressed as you see fresh blood every time you go to the toilet."
The illness made him "feel the need to relieve my bowels every 30 minutes."
"You can never get a good night's sleep as you shuttle between the bed and toilet," he said.
"The need to go to the toilet many times a day hamperselection and other political activities very much."
His wife even tearfully pleaded with him to give up the political career he was groomed for since he was a child. His grandfather was also Japan's PM.
The illness came to a head, er, bottom when his health deteriorated after eating something during his tour of India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
30 trips to the lavatory a day makes it "absolutely impossible to perform the heavy duties of prime minister," he also said.
Yeah, that and:
1. a crushing election defeat,
2. sagging voter support
3. a raft of scandals.
Maybe it was the latter that exasperated the ulcers, or that and the spicy southeast Asian food.
At least the PM had the courage to come forward with his disease.
Now, can we expect a run of ads on how to prevent it with him as the spokesman?
