Japan’s Shinzo Abe back to hospital over health worries

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revisited a Tokyo hospital Monday for what he said was a follow-up medical checkup, further stoking speculation that his health may be deteriorating and that his imminent exit may be a possibility,the The Japan Times reported.

His visit to Keio University Hospital, coming just a week after an earlier checkup, arguably took some shine off what had been expected to be a moment of triumph Monday, when he became the nation’s longest-serving prime minister in terms of consecutive tenure in office.

Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters at a regular briefing Abe was receiving “additional testing” after that check-up.

“I see him every day and I don’t see any change in him,” Suga said.