Japan's Shinzo Abe returns to hospital on day he becomes country's longest-serving Prime Minister

AKIPRESS.COM - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned to the hospital on Monday on the day he became the country's longest serving head of government in terms of consecutive days in office, CNN reported.
Abe, leader of the world's third-largest economy, has now served 2,799 consecutive days as Prime Minister -- surpassing the previous record set by his great-uncle, Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, who stepped down in 1972.
The Prime Minister gave brief comments to reporters after leaving the hospital Monday. He did not say what was ailing him, but expressed support to "those who have supported me even during very difficult times."
"Today I learned more about last week's test, and I've taken an additional test. While seeing to my health, I would like to do my best in my work. I will address the matter about the additional test (in the future)," he said, without specifying what test he actually took.
Abe suffers from colitis, a non-curable inflammatory bowel disease, which forced him to resign during his first stint as the country's leader from 2006 to 2007. He became Prime Minister again in 2012, finally closing a revolving door of Japanese leaders.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the visit Monday was a follow-up to a checkup last week and has not seen "any notable change" from Abe.
It's unclear exactly how serious Abe's health concerns are, but many in his inner circle said that medication was keeping his condition in check. As leader, he's been credited with revive the country's stagnant economy, though major issues like massive government debt and an aging population loom large.
But last week marked the first time Abe's health had become a talking point in Japanese politics in years. He is already facing criticism for his handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak, and has seen support among voters drop, adding to speculation that he could resign after reaching Monday's milestone.
Abe spent spent more than six hours last week at a hospital in Tokyo for what a source with close ties to the Prime Minister described as "ongoing intestine sickness." The individual spoke on the condition of anonymity because that person was not authorized to speak officially about Abe's health. CNN has reached out to the Prime Minister's office for comment.