Prime Minister Abe, Subject to 'Health Rumors,' Returns Home After About 7 Hours of Medical Examination (Comprehensive)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) is arriving at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo on the 17th for a health checkup. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underwent additional medical examinations just two months after a detailed health checkup.

Kyodo News reported on the 17th that Prime Minister Abe entered Keio University Hospital in Tokyo at around 10:30 a.m., completed the examinations by around 6 p.m., and left the hospital. The total time Prime Minister Abe spent at the hospital was 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Regarding this, a spokesperson from the Prime Minister's Office emphasized that the examinations were routine and conducted on the same day during the summer vacation to ensure thorough health management. However, since it had only been about two months since the detailed checkup, the fact that Abe underwent more than seven hours of examinations again increases the likelihood of growing health concerns. Prime Minister Abe, who has been receiving detailed checkups approximately every six months at Keio University Hospital, had a checkup on June 13. According to Kyodo News, a Keio University Hospital official stated that the examination on this day was an "additional test following the June checkup."

When Prime Minister Abe returned home at around 6:20 p.m., he responded to reporters' questions with only "Thank you for your efforts" and entered his official residence in Tokyo. It was reported that Abe has no official duties scheduled for the 18th as well.

A Japanese government official told Kyodo News that due to the prolonged response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), "the Prime Minister is exhausted and unable to recharge."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's vehicle is entering Keio University Hospital in Tokyo at around 10:30 a.m. on the 17th (local time).
[Image source=Kyodo News]

Prime Minister Abe has recently been surrounded by health rumors. According to local media, on the 6th of last month, Abe reportedly coughed up blood in his office at the official residence. In response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga dismissed the health rumors at a press conference on the 4th, saying, "I meet him every day, and he is calmly devoted to his duties," and "There is absolutely no problem."

However, Japanese media continue to report that due to accumulated fatigue from the prolonged COVID-19 situation, Abe's movements have slowed, and he appears very tired.

During his first term in office, in September 2007, Abe resigned about a year after becoming Prime Minister due to a worsening of his chronic illness, ulcerative colitis. However, since his second term starting in 2012, Abe has stated that his health issues have improved thanks to new medication.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.