Rumors of Abe Japanese Prime Minister's Health Issues Resurface, Cabinet Personnel Changes Expected to Be Delayed Next Month

Asahi Shimbun Reports "Rumors of Cabinet and LDP Personnel Postponement Surge"
High Possibility of Prime Minister Abe's Lame Duck Period Intensifying

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As rumors about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's health issues resurface, there is a possibility that the cabinet and ruling party executive reshuffle scheduled for next month could be postponed until after October.

On the 25th, Asahi Shimbun reported that this sentiment is spreading within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as Prime Minister Abe visited Keio University Hospital for two consecutive weeks on the 17th and 24th of this month.

If the cabinet and LDP reshuffle is delayed, it is expected that Abe's planned political schedule will inevitably face setbacks. Additionally, with his term ending in September 2021, there is a high possibility that Abe's lame-duck period will intensify.

However, Fumio Kishida, the LDP Policy Research Council Chairman and considered one of the 'post-Abe' candidates, drew a line during a press conference the day before, stating that the upcoming political schedule, including the September cabinet and LDP reshuffle, "is not currently thought to be affected."

Regarding Abe's consecutive visits to Keio University Hospital, Mainichi Shimbun reported that there is growing speculation that he might be receiving treatment for his chronic illness, ulcerative colitis.

Asahi Shimbun also cited multiple LDP officials saying, "It seems he is receiving treatment due to a worsening of his chronic illness."

Previously, during his first term in office in September 2007, Abe resigned mid-term citing a worsening of ulcerative colitis.

Abe's chronic illness, ulcerative colitis, is classified as an intractable disease by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and is known for symptoms that improve and then worsen repeatedly.

Currently, the exact condition of Prime Minister Abe's health is not publicly known.

After visiting Keio University Hospital the previous day, Abe only mentioned to reporters at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, "After hearing the test results last week, I underwent additional tests."

There is also speculation that Abe, who considers his resignation due to illness during his first term a humiliation, will not resign again for the same reason.

Mainichi Shimbun quoted an LDP official saying, "There will be no case of Prime Minister Abe quitting due to illness."

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