JAPAN: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is admitted to hospital, suffering from a functional gastrointestinal disorder

Record ID: 465405

  • Title: JAPAN: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is admitted to hospital, suffering from a functional gastrointestinal disorder
  • Date: 13th September 2007
  • Summary: EXTERIOR OF KEIO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SIGNBOARD OF HOSPITAL CLOSE-UP OF WINDOWS POLICEMEN GUARDING THE HOSPITAL CAMERAMEN OUTSIDE HOSPITAL WIDE OF SATELLITE VAN AND CAMERAMAN IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL
  • Embargoed: 28th September 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Health,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6D1D36MOVQJVSEPG349UNHH1X
  • Story Text: Doctors examined Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday (September 13) following his admission to hospital, a day after he suddenly announced his resignation.
    "Prime Minister Abe has left for the hospital at around 10:45 a.m. due to medical problems. I think he is being examined by a doctor at this time," Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano announced during a regular press briefing.
    Hours later Toshifumi Hibi, Professor of Internal Medicine at Keio Medical University, told reporters that Abe was suffering from a functional gastrointestinal disorder caused by overwhelming stress.
    "Though he does not have any major abnormalities, malfunctions can be seen in his stomach and intestines which also causes associated disorders in his upper abdomen. We call this kind of complex situation a functional gastrointestinal disorder," Hibi said.
    "I think that his strong physical and psychological stress is kind of responsible for the disease," he added.
    The doctor also said Abe is debilitated by the disease and needs to continue receiving hospital treatment for a few more days.
    "It will depend on his recovery pace, but I think he needs to stay hospitalised for at least three or four days," he said.
    Abe, who took office a year ago pledging to raise Japan's global security profile, said he was quitting in the hope that a new leader could resolve a deadlock over a naval mission supporting U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.
    But senior officials cited health problems as one reason for his decision.
    After his announcement of resignation, the Japanese public's interest has been switched to who would be the next possible successor of the Liberal Democratic Party.
    The LDP will hold a leadership poll on Sept. 23 to pick a successor to Abe following his sudden decision to resign, a party executive said on Thursday.
    Secretary General Taro Aso, the country's former foreign minister under Abe who shares his hawkish views on security, is seen as a frontrunner.
    But his closeness to Abe and a record of gaffes leave doubts as to whether Aso's victory is assured.
    The LDP will hold a leadership poll on Sept. 23 to pick a successor to Abe following his sudden decision to resign, a party executive said on Thursday.
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