Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet have resigned, clearing the way for his successor to take over after parliamentary confirmation later Wednesday, CBS News reported.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, announced last month that he was stepping down due to health problems.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was chosen Monday as the new head of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, virtually guaranteeing his election as prime minister in a parliamentary vote Wednesday because of the party's majority.