At the end of November 1999, Prime Minister Yanchuan Shilang was hospitalized again due to health issues. On the 2nd of the following month, after being discharged, he publicly announced a statement citing severe deterioration in personal health insufficient to support his work and announced his resignation.
On December 5th, Vice Prime Minister Koizumi Ichirou, who had been in office for a year, was nominated as Prime Minister. On December 10th, a vote was held at the National Assembly Hall, where Koizumi Ichirou was elected without suspense. On the 13th, Heavenly Locust issued the official appointment, and Koizumi Ichirou would assume the office of Prime Minister on January 1, 2000.
"Congratulations to Prime Minister Koizumi for becoming Japan's youngest Prime Minister after Prime Minister Ito. I believe the new century will surely bring new vitality to the Japanese economy under your leadership."
