Junichiro Koizumi to announce shock retirement from politics?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Tokyo
  • Last updated on

Former Japanese Prime Minister created a stir on Sunday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Koizumi fans. Speculation had been rife that the former Japanese Prime Minister will announce his retirement from politics, at age 84, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 02/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJunichiro

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouJunichiro was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouJunichiro.”
— @DesireePlum, 1 Feb 2026
“Koizumi wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 1 Feb 2026

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