The report appeared in NHK, Japan's national broadcaster, which stated:
"Abe Shinzo is scheduled to hold a news conference later in the day to explain his decision.
"Abe has visited a hospital twice over the past two weeks, fuelling speculation that his health has deteriorated.
"This is the second time that Abe is to leave the post over a medical issue -- stepping down in 2007, because of his inflammatory bowel disease, after only serving a year in office."