Japan PM Sanae Takaichi undergoes six-hour hand check-up, raising health concerns

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited a hospital in Tokyo on Monday for a hand examination, staying for about six and a half hours and renewing public attention on her health.

Takaichi arrived at the hospital in Shinjuku's Shinanocho district around 10am and left after 4.30pm, returning to the official residence. Aides said the check-up was for her hands and other areas, conducted in preparation for key political events including the autumn parliamentary session and a possible cabinet reshuffle.

The prime minister has a history of rheumatoid arthritis, which worsened in February when her right hand was injured during a handshake with an enthusiastic supporter while campaigning for the lower house election. She had undergone X-rays, blood tests and treatment at the same hospital at that time.

No official results from the latest check-up have been released, and aides did not specify whether further treatment is needed.

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓