Prime Minister Abe, Amid 'Health Rumors,' Holds Successive Meetings with Key Regime Figures

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] Recently, amid suspicions of 'health issues,' Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo sent a message that his 'physical condition is fine' by meeting consecutively with key figures in the administration.

However, the results of the re-examination that Prime Minister Abe reportedly underwent at the hospital have not been disclosed, so the rumors about his health problems have not subsided.

According to Kyodo News and NHK on the 20th, Prime Minister Abe met consecutively at the Prime Minister's Official Residence with Fumio Kishida, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Policy Research Council Chairman, and Hiroshi Kajiyama, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

When Policy Research Council Chairman Kishida said, "I hope you take care of your health. Everyone is saying that if possible, you should take a slow rest," Abe replied, "Thank you. My physical condition is fine."

After the meeting, Chairman Kishida told reporters, "The conversation was similar to usual, but I think fatigue has accumulated."

Minister Kajiyama said about Prime Minister Abe's condition, "He looked healthy. He spoke well."

The rumors about Prime Minister Abe's health issues spread recently after a Japanese weekly magazine reported that Abe had coughed up blood.

On the 17th, Abe also visited Keio University Hospital and stayed for about seven hours. A hospital official explained that Abe underwent additional tests following a health checkup he had in June this year.

The tests and results that Prime Minister Abe underwent have not been disclosed.

The main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, demanded that Prime Minister Abe directly explain his health condition to the public and appear at the focused deliberation of the House of Representatives Budget Committee scheduled for next month, following the rumors about his health issues.

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