"Health Rumors" Abe, Japanese Prime Minister, Returns to Work After Vacation

Resumed Official Duties by Arriving at the Prime Minister's Residence on the Afternoon of the 19th

▲Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, who was surrounded by rumors of health issues, returned to work on the 19th after a three-day summer vacation.

According to NHK, Prime Minister Abe was confirmed to have resumed official duties by arriving at the Prime Minister's Official Residence around 1:30 PM in a government car.

Upon entering the residence, he told reporters, "I underwent a medical examination the day before yesterday to thoroughly manage my health," and added, "I will return to work and work hard from now on."

It is known that Abe, as his first task after returning, received reports on the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation from relevant ministers and discussed response measures.

Since starting his second term in December 2012, Abe has taken summer vacations during Obon (Japan’s Chuseok) every year and stayed at his villa in Yamanashi Prefecture at the foot of Mount Fuji. However, this year, due to COVID-19, he is understood to have stayed only at his residence in Tokyo from the 16th to the 18th.

During his vacation on the 17th, he visited Keio University Hospital in Tokyo and stayed for about 7 hours and 30 minutes for a medical checkup.

This was an additional examination following a regular checkup on June 13, but since he has a history of resigning just one year after taking office in September 2007 during his first term due to a worsening of his chronic illness, ulcerative colitis, it has also fueled rumors about his health problems.

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