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Japanese PM 'to attend hospital' Medical tests for Japanese leader
(about 1 hour later)
The outgoing Japanese prime minister has gone to hospital for medical tests, a day after announcing his resignation. Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has gone to hospital for tests, a day after announcing his resignation.
Shinzo Abe had been losing popularity and his Liberal Democratic Party lost Upper House elections in July. Doctors were examining Mr Abe and would decided whether or not to admit him, the top government spokesman said.
There had been speculation that health problems was one of the reasons for Mr Abe's decision to step down. Mr Abe had been facing growing calls to quit since his party lost Upper House elections in July, and opinion polls showed he was increasingly unpopular.
But Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, who revealed Mr Abe's visit to hospital, did not give any specific reason for the check-up. But there has also been speculation that health problems were partly behind his decision to step down.
Mr Abe said on Wednesday that he would step down, and a new party leader will be chosen next week by the LDP. Mr Abe's announcement on Wednesday came as a surprise to many and triggered criticism.
The party leader will automatically become the new prime minister. He had defied calls for his resignation in the wake of the disastrous July polls and only two weeks ago reshuffled his Cabinet.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will meet either next week or the week after to choose a new party leader, who will automatically become Japan's new prime minister.
'Fatigue level'
Mr Abe, who took office in September 2006, said that his decision to step down was based on political realities.
Support for his government had plummeted following a series of ministerial scandals and in July, the ruling coalition lost control of the Upper House for the first time ever.
ROAD TO RESIGNATION Sept 2006: Shinzo Abe is elected as PM, with long agenda of reformsEarly 2007: Series of scandals involving senior ministers July 2007: LDP loses control of Japan's upper house for the first time in its history.27 Aug: Abe reshuffles his Cabinet9 Sept: Abe stakes his job on extending Japan's support of US-led mission in Afghanistan12 Sept: Abe announces he is stepping down Resignation speech in full Abe's road to resignation
This left the opposition in a position to block key pieces of legislation, such as the extension of Japan's naval mission in support of US-led operations in Afghanistan.
"If I delay my decision to step down, the government will face greater difficulties in parliament," Mr Abe said.
But other officials had hinted that health problems had contributed to his departure.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano said Mr Abe's condition was not life-threatening.
"Mr Abe has an illness that could cause him to feel unwell," he told a news conference.
"His doctor determined that his fatigue level has reached its peak, so I think that the doctor concluded that he needed to be examined at a well-equipped facility."
'Ask the voters'
The ruling party is now scrambling to select a new leader. The party will pick either 19 or 25 September to do this, Japanese media reports said.
Taro Aso, a former foreign minister who is now the LDP secretary general, is seen as a front runner.
Another potential candidate is former Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, who ran against Mr Abe and Mr Aso for the top job in September 2006.
Other names mentioned include veteran lawmaker and former government spokesman Yasuo Fukuda and the current government spokesman, Kaoru Yosano.
But the LDP is also facing growing pressure to call a snap election, both from the opposition and the media.
"With the LDP government thrown into this much confusion, the voters should be asked in the proper fashion who their choice for leader is in a general election," the Asahi newspaper said in an editorial.
"That is the only way to bring back politics based on the people's trust."