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Outgoing Japanese PM in hospital Outgoing Japanese PM in hospital
(about 1 hour later)
Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been admitted to hospital, a day after announcing his resignation, reports from Japan say. Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been admitted to hospital, a day after announcing his resignation.
The move came after Mr Abe visited a hospital for tests after feeling ill. Doctors said Mr Abe was being treated for a stomach problem likely caused by extreme exhaustion and stress.
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.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 there has also been speculation that health problems were partly behind his decision to step down.But there has also been speculation that health problems were partly behind his decision to step down.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, speaking before Mr Abe was admitted to hospital, said the prime minister's condition was not life-threatening. 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.
"Mr Abe has an illness that could cause him to feel unwell," he told a news conference. Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga has already indicated that he plans to stand, while former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had ruled it out, Kyodo news agency said.
"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." The front-runner, Taro Aso, has made no announcement as yet.
Parliamentary deadlock 'Extreme fatigue'
Mr Abe's announcement on Wednesday triggered surprise and criticism. Mr Abe's decision on Wednesday triggered surprise and criticism.
He had defied calls for his resignation in the wake of the disastrous July polls and only two weeks ago reshuffled his Cabinet.
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 resignationROAD 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
He had defied calls for his resignation in the wake of the disastrous July polls and only two weeks ago reshuffled his Cabinet.
But he said that his decision to step down was based on political realities resulting from the loss of the Upper House.But he said that his decision to step down was based on political realities resulting from the loss of the Upper House.
The result 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.The result 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."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.But other officials had hinted that health problems had contributed to his departure.
"I hear that the doctor diagnosed him as suffering from extreme fatigue," Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano told reporters after Mr Abe was admitted to hospital.
One of his doctors, Toshifumi Hibi, told the Associated Press news agency that Mr Abe would remain in hospital for at least three or four days.
'Ask the voters''Ask the voters'
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. LDP lawmakers will pick a new leader on either 19 or 25 September, Japanese media reports said.
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 the strongest contender.
Taro Aso, a former foreign minister who is now the LDP secretary general, is seen as a front runner, while Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga has already indicated that he plans to stand.
Another potential candidate is former Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, who ran against Mr Abe and Mr Aso for the top job in September 2006.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.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.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."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.""That is the only way to bring back politics based on the people's trust."