安倍首相、「病状深刻」見方強まる　公務復帰も入院促す声

　安倍晋三首相の健康状態をめぐり、持病の潰瘍性大腸炎が深刻化しているとの見方が１９日、政府・与党内で強まった。首相は１７日に慶応大病院で長時間の検査を受けており、自民党幹部は「病状は相当重いようだ」と指摘。一定期間入院し、体調を回復させるよう促す声が出ているが、首相は職務続行に意欲を示した。
　首相は１９日午後、３日間の休暇を終えて公務を再開。首相官邸に入った際、記者団の問い掛けにマスクを外して淡々と応じ、「体調管理に万全を期すため検査を受けた。これから再び仕事に復帰し、頑張っていきたい」と述べた。「休養を勧める声もある」との追加の質問には答えなかった。
　この後、面会した側近の萩生田光一文部科学相が体調を尋ねたのに対しても、首相は「大丈夫だ。責任を持ってしっかり陣頭指揮を執りたい」と強調した。（2020/08/19-17:27）

Some in Japan's government and ruling coalition believe that symptoms of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ulcerative colitis, his chronic disease, are becoming serious.
   Symptoms of his disease "seem to be serious," a senior member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Wednesday. Abe underwent an hours-long medical examination at a hospital in Tokyo on Monday.
   While some people are advising Abe to be hospitalized for a while to recover his health, the prime minister is eager to continue his work.
   After a three-day summer break, Abe resumed official duties on Wednesday afternoon. Upon arriving at the prime minister's office, Abe said, "I took the medical checkup to ensure that I'm in good health," adding, "I'm going back to work now and want to do my best." He did not respond to a reporter who cited calls for him to take a rest.
   Education minister Koichi Hagiuda asked the prime minister about his health when they met later in the day. In response, Abe said: "I'm fine. I want to take the lead with a sense of responsibility."