politics

After hospital visit, Abe says he will do his utmost as prime minister

49 Comments
By Kiyoshi Takenaka and Kaori Kaneko

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© Thomson Reuters 2020.

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49 Comments
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Akira Amari, another Abe confidante and chairman of the LDP's tax panel, said that Abe, 65, could be suffering from fatigue because of his continuous work over the response to the virus.

Pfft. What work??

16 ( +31 / -15 )

If Abe is incapacitated, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, will take over temporarily as acting prime minister.

Cripes, things will get even worse! Aso is also a FORMER prime minister here, which says a lot.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Hmmm....two follow-ups to a routine check-up? That doesn't sound like a man who's fit for the job.

And he never was. Colossal failure.

14 ( +25 / -11 )

Bowel disease is nasty. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

They should have simply sent him the results by F A X , isnt that how things are done here................................modern technology and all that.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

An old line from Fawlty Towers springs to mind:

"Nothing trivial I hope, dear"

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Abe says he will do his utmost as prime minister

Resigning, then? Thanks!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

He may even be hoping for a diagnosis that lets him bow out of politics while saving face.

Abe will not "bow out of politics", it just gives him a way to stop being PM. He will still be the "king maker" of the LDP, even though he wouldnt be PM.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Big photo, kind words... Next week he will retire due to health reasons

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Abe's father, Shintaro, died of heart failure at 67. He suffers from chronic irritable bowel disease. He may even be hoping for a diagnosis that lets him bow out of politics while saving face.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Just being PM for the longest stint of any PM doesn't mean you're a good PM! Was his sole goal just to break Eisaku Sato's record?!

8 ( +15 / -7 )

NCIS: "He may even be hoping for a diagnosis that lets him bow out of politics while saving face."

No, not until he changes the Constitution and bring about his beloved "Beautiful Japan" -- a return to the pre-war "romance" he saw in his grandfather that was this empire before being destroyed.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

So how long has he got?

I mean as PM..

7 ( +12 / -5 )

It would have been cheaper for the doctor to email Abe the results but that would mean using less taxpayer money; something Japanese politicos don’t think about...

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Abe has suffered a slide in public opinion polls to one of the lowest levels since he took power 

Not that it matters come election times. Opinion polls only matter in democracies...

7 ( +11 / -4 )

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-24/japan-s-abe-set-to-visit-hospital-again-on-monday-yomiuri-says

“Today, I heard the detailed results of the tests I underwent last week, and I had some follow-up tests,” Abe told reporters at his official residence, after leaving hospital. “I want to continue to work hard.”

When asked about the results of the tests, he said he planned to talk about “that kind of thing,” without specifying when.

so he had more additional tests done today. another follow up visit soon. 2 rounds of additional tests after the june checkup. does not sound good.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

no need to work hard since most of those in his age are sitting on their A$ESS doing nothing

Nearly 70% of Japanese men in their mid-60s are still working, so your most is well off.

collecting retirement they don't deserve.

If people have spent their working life paying into the pension scheme, what makes you think they don't deserve the retirement money they've paid for?

No doubt Abe will have plenty of funds stashed away for his retirement when it comes.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

A leader more concerned about personal world records than the needs of his people.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Do his utmost, a very Japanese response in the circumstances.

Farmboy, I agree (but it’s not as much fun!)

Ordinarily I would consider someone’s medical condition a private matter, but he is a public figure in a senior and important position so he should inform the public as to his condition and continuing fitness to perform his duties. That is the devils bargain they make for their position and power, no privacy.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

So during a world pandemic, economy down 28% and constant bullying by America to go to war with China,our biggest trading partner...we have a tired, sick old man as PM. If he suddenly passes away we will have an even older out of touch guy, who spends his days sleeping in parliamentary debates and frequenting hostess bars. Oh and I forgot, reading comic books.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Mark actually most 'ippanjin' his age are still working ( a large majority anyway) to pay off mortgages and just to live..

Most 'politicians'his age are sitting pretty from years of cronyism and lavish lifestyles due to salaries they never deserved or worked hard for!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

7.5 hours, followed by a call back examination means something is up.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It's OK........the country doesn't need you,and,in fact,would be much better off without you.

You can 'gammon suru' all you want but the end result is the same.......you have been nothing but a cheat,a fraud and a liability.......to put it mildly.At least you are still alive......not like that 'sontaku' beauracrat who took his own life.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

In the photo, he certainly doesn't look well.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I think hes doing a fine job. 

Wanna buy some magic beanstalk beans? Special offer!!! Bitcoin discount.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Abe, who turns 66 next month, also said he wanted to speak again later about his medical tests.

Watch this space - he'll be resigning soon.

Ducks need to be got in a row by various entities before an announcement is made.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This guy is only interested in the record as " the longest serving Japanese PM " . That's all.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Abe says he will do his utmost as prime minister

ah you mean exactly nothing.

Regardless of my disliking about his government and its policies I wish him a speedy recovery and good health.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

His body is telling him something. Quit!

If Abe is incapacitated, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, 79, who doubles as finance minister, would take over temporarily as acting prime minister.

Dear lord, no! Just, NO! Him and Mori were the two most useless self-entitled old fools to become PM.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ordinarily I would consider someone’s medical condition a private matter, but he is a public figure in a senior and important position so he should inform the public as to his condition and continuing fitness to perform his duties. That is the devils bargain they make for their position and power, no privacy.

Yes. He used his stomach condition as an excuse to step down before, then took the job again.

I wish him well health but that’s an ill fitting jacket, he’s lost a lot of weight.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Your upmost would be resigning, Abe. Immediately

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Could be minor heat stroke due to A mask.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Where to from here?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

PM Abe should call and learn from President Duterte of the Philippines. Just take a picture of himself eating somewhere with his family as a proof that he is still alive and healthy . Make sure to show the latest edition of the Newspaper as evidence that the photo is taken now, he can also photo shop it, but he must hire a very good artist. And then declare a perpetual isolation due to covid-19. It's a wise ticket to stay in power for eternity wether he's sick or not.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Can't he get the exam results on the phone?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

I would be really suprised if he resigned, no matter how bad his health would be. And Aso as replacement? I kinda Abe wont resign with this idea in place.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Big photo, kind words... Next week he will retire due to health reasons

Should have bought a lotto ticket

0 ( +0 / -0 )

All those travels showing up.

My agers saw population rise to what never has been before

And still thinking my island only.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Stay safe Mr. Prime Minister. We are praying for you.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Wish him good health and good luck, no need to work hard since most of those in his age are sitting on their A$$ESS doing nothing but criticize the working ones and collecting retirement they don't deserve.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I am aware of one of his medical conditions he has had for quite some time. I hope Prime Minister Abe gets some R&R ( Rest and Recovery) and gets well.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Abe, criticized for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak...

The criticism should have been directed at the communist cowards who kept it hidden for weeks and allowed it to spread to the rest of the world.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

criticized for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak and some scandals

Such bias media. Not objective and vague. I think hes doing a fine job. Would criticize him for the sales tax increase.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

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