Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spent more than seven hours at a Tokyo hospital yesterday, sparking speculation about his health condition.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 65, yesterday went to Keio University hospital in Tokyo and left after seven hours there, sparking speculation about his health condition, although government officials

Mr Abe, Japan's longest serving head, resigned in September 2007, just one year after being in power due to chronic ulcerative colitis.

He usually has regular check-ups every six months, but his most recent medical checkup was on June 13, which was only two months ago.

The newspaper also pointed out that he had not attended parliamentary meetings nor held any press conferences for more than a month.

Japanese media then closely followed Prime Minister Abe's activities, noting that he went to the gym for the first time in months on August 10.

"I'm sure he was under extreme and prolonged stress. Unfortunately, this is a time when we face many challenges," said Noriko Hama, professor of economics at Doshisha University in Kyoto.

Japan is facing a spike in nCoV cases in Tokyo as well as the worst economic decline.

Some analysts also consider the possibility that Prime Minister Abe could not complete his term, which will end in October next year.

However, according to Hiromi Murakami, professor of political science at Temple University in Tokyo, Mr. Aso will only be the interim leader until the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) can arrange new elections.

In addition, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is also attracting positive attention as a potential successor.

Motegi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of face-to-face meetings despite Covid-19 and has also received many compliments for his negotiating skills and ability to get work done.