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Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20070225t2.html
By MARK SCHREIBER
At 7:56 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, a government limousine whisked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Keio University Hospital in Shinanomachi, where, the phalanx of accompanying reporters was informed, he was to undergo a "periodic physical examination" that would include an electrocardiogram, CT scan and endoscopic examination.
The reporters waited. And waited. And waited. "Ten more minutes," they were told. Followed, 10 minutes later, by "It'll be another 30 minutes."
Finally, at 1:48, a smiling Mr. Abe made his appearance.
"There's no problem whatsoever," the prime minister reassured the media. "I can do my job with full peace of mind."
But wait a second, says Friday (March 2): this was the second time Japan's ship of state had been moored at the "human dock" -- as physical exams are referred to here -- since last July. What's going on? Can it be that the poor man's starting to collapse under the weight of his heavy responsibilities?
"Abe's weak constitution has become a topic of controversy," confides a bigwig belonging to the faction led by former Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura. "He seldom attends evening get-togethers, and even when he does, he leaves early. To get enough sleep, I suppose."
Shukan Post (March 2) notes that an article in its previous week's issue had observed Abe showing unmistakable signs of physical strain, due, possibly, from the side effects of a powerful, steroid-based medication.
What's more, the magazine asks, why did a "routine" exam need to take so long?
"A duodenal exam typically takes 15 minutes," explains Juntendo University professor emeritus Nobuhiro Sato. "An examination of the lower bowel requires about half an hour. I think it's possible some other treatment was involved. It might have gone as far as removal of a polyp, or a biopsy."
"I suppose a lifestyle that calls for lots of moving around continuously upsets Abe's digestive system," an unnamed LDP Diet member tells Sunday Mainichi (March 4). "The same problem surfaced last year, during the campaign for party president. Whenever the candidates took a break, all three went to the men's room together. While the others stood at the urinal, Mr. Abe always entered a stall. I'm certain he's got digestive problems."
The source adds, "[Foreign Minister Taro] Aso is party to the most confidential information about Mr. Abe's condition. The word's going around that a contingency plan is also in the offing. People close to Aso are spreading the word to the effect that 'Abe's problem is more than just a weak intestine -- it's ulcerating. So if worse comes to worst, please give him your support.'
"Having seen how they [i.e., Abe and Aso] cooperated during the party election, there's a strange reality in effect," he adds.
Naturally Aso's people deny these allegations. But the fact is, Sunday Mainichi notes, matters involving politicians' health in Japan tend to be shrouded in utmost secrecy, left to smolder beneath the surface, away from public view.
Speaking at the Feb. 15 funeral of Kunihiko Miyamoto, a police sergeant killed in the line of duty, Abe committed a major gaffe by repeatedly referring to the deceased as "Miyake-san."
Opposing factions in the LDP, such as the group of die-hard legislators opposed to postal reform, are fomenting political intrigues, and Shukan Post suggests the strains may be taking its toll on Abe.
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フォローアップ:- 政権の命取りになるか 安倍首相の健康問題（立花隆の「メディア ソシオ-ポリティクス」） めっちゃホリディ 2007/2/25 21:00:48
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