At 5 PM on the 28th, COVID-19 measures and health rumors addressed
No talks with LDP Secretary-General and Komeito coalition leader... Resignation rumors weaken
Previous day, meeting with US Space Force Commander John Raymond... Schedule proceeds without changes
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan who had been surrounded by various rumors such as health issues and resignation, announced on the afternoon of the 28th that he would hold a press conference to directly clarify these rumors. Unlike his first resignation in 2007, there were no signs of emergency meetings with key figures from the Liberal Democratic Party and the coalition Komeito Party, and since he is expected to carry out official schedules for three consecutive days until today, the resignation rumors that had been circulating in various sectors of Japan until the day before have significantly weakened.
According to NHK and other local Japanese media, Prime Minister Abe announced that he would hold a press conference at the Prime Minister's Official Residence at 5 p.m. on the 28th. This is the first formal press conference in 71 days since June 18. According to NHK, the main content of this press conference is expected to explain the Japanese government's response measures to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and vaccine supply issues, but public attention is focused on Abe's statement regarding his own health rumors. It is anticipated that Abe will clarify the health rumors and resignation speculations surrounding him during this press conference.
Earlier, Abe was caught up in health rumors after visiting Keio University Hospital in Tokyo on the 17th and 24th of this month for lengthy examinations. Since he had previously resigned mid-term from his first tenure as prime minister in September 2007 due to his chronic illness, ulcerative colitis, rumors about his resignation spread widely. The day before, the Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported that Abe would step down as prime minister and that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga would be his successor. Regarding these rumors, Secretary Suga stated at a press conference on the same day that "talks about post-Abe are premature," emphasizing that Abe is healthy enough to complete the remaining one year of his term.
With Abe himself announcing that he will clarify the situation, various rumors including the resignation speculation have significantly weakened compared to the day before. Unlike his first resignation, there have been no indications of late-night meetings or encounters between Abe and key political figures such as the LDP Secretary-General or the Komeito Party leader, and it is analyzed that this is because Abe is carrying out official schedules. The day before, Kyodo News reported that Abe held talks with John Raymond, Commander of the U.S. Space Command, who visited Japan, discussing Japan-U.S. cooperation in the space sector. This was the first time in six months since Abe met Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party, on February 28.
There are also observations that the atmosphere within the Abe Cabinet, which had been shaken by resignation rumors, is returning to normal. Sankei Shimbun reported that the political atmosphere in Japan, which had expected a significant delay in the cabinet reshuffle due to Abe's resignation rumors, has changed, and there is speculation that the reshuffle could take place in early September as usual. Considering the continuity of work related to COVID-19, Sankei Shimbun reported that a major reshuffle is unlikely.
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