Aug 20 (Japan Times) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned to work Wednesday after a three-day summer break that included a hospital visit, leading to speculation he is suffering ill health.
“I got a checkup a day before yesterday to make absolutely sure I’m healthy,†he told reporters. “I’m getting back to work now, and I hope to keep working hard. Thank you.â€
He walked off, without responding to reporters’ follow-up questions about the checkup.
Speculation about the 65-year-old’s health has been swirling after he spent more than seven hours at Keio University Hospital in Tokyo on Monday. The visit followed a recent magazine report that said he vomited blood in July.
A hospital source said Abe underwent tests Monday as a follow-up to a checkup he underwent in June.
Abe worked for nearly 150 days straight from late January through late June and took three days off last month.Some members of Cabinet and others close to Abe have expressed concern that the prime minister has been showing signs of exhaustion after months leading the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
He remained in Tokyo for all six days spent away from his duties in July and August as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has requested residents refrain from traveling outside the capital on summer vacations to prevent a further spread of the virus.
