Abe becomes Japan’s fourth longest-serving post-war PM

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became on Monday the fourth longest-serving Japanese leader in the postwar era with 1,807 days in office, surpassing the tenure of former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone.

The figure combines Abe’s first stint in power from 2006 to 2007 – before he resigned citing ill health – with his second administration that began in December 2012.

“I want to do all I can to achieve results each and every day, without arrogance and with a calm mind,” Abe, 62, told reporters on Monday morning.

Abe said he “looks up to” Nakasone, 98, a fellow proponent of amending the Japanese Constitution.

Japanese law has no limit on how long prime ministers can serve, but by convention they must remain the leaders of their parties.