"Health Rumors" Prime Minister Abe Heads to Hospital Again... "3 Hours and 30 Minutes of Examination" (Comprehensive)

Japanese Prime Minister's Office "Inspection Following Previous Examination"
Chief Cabinet Secretary "Health Condition Unchanged"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revisited Keio University Hospital on the 24th. Amid rumors of health issues, his repeated hospital visits are expected to spark renewed controversy.

According to Japanese media, Prime Minister Abe left his official residence at 10 a.m. that day, visited Keio University Hospital, stayed for about three and a half hours, and left around 1:30 p.m. Previously, Abe had visited Keio University Hospital on the 17th for a health checkup that lasted about seven hours.

On the 24th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Keio University Hospital.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Prime Minister's Office explained regarding this revisit, "During last week's examination, the doctor advised him to come back in a week," adding, "This examination is a continuation of the previous one."

Frequent hospital visits by Prime Minister Abe have fueled health rumors within Japan. Abe has undergone health checkups twice a year at Keio University. However, the unscheduled checkup on the 17th intensified the health speculation. There have been ongoing concerns about Abe's health, as he has avoided official press conferences and attending the National Diet.

Some media outlets reported that Abe coughed up blood at the residence on the 6th of last month, causing further controversy.

The Japanese government has actively denied the health rumors.

Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, said at a regular briefing, "I believe there has been no change in our daily meetings." Questions arose about whether Abe could continue fulfilling his role as Prime Minister after news of his hospital revisit became public.

Suga stated, "Today’s visit is an additional examination following the recent one on the 17th," and introduced, "A few days ago, the Prime Minister said, 'From now on, I will return to work and do my best.'" Abe had made this statement upon returning to the Prime Minister's residence on the 19th after his summer vacation.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Abe marked his 2,799th day in office, becoming the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japanese history.

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