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Obuchi hospitalised from overwork

TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi was taken to hospital suddenly early on Sunday with an unknown condition brought on by overwork, the government's chief spokesman said.

Speaking to reporters at the premier's official residence more than 22 hours after Obuchi was hospitalised, Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki said Obuchi, 62, undergoing tests.

"The prime minister was hospitalised suddenly due to overwork around one o'clock in the morning today (1800 GMT Saturday)," Aoki said.

In a news conference that provided few hard facts, Aoki first said that he did not know if Obuchi was conscious. However he later reported the premier had been conscious when he visited him in hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Obuchi suffers from a heart condition for which he has a pacemaker. When he became prime minister in July 1998 there were questions raised about his health, but there have been no reported problems since he took office.

Aoki said the government would consider whether to appoint an acting prime minister, but did not elaborate on the timing.

Kyodo news agency, quoting a senior member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said Obuchi would not be able to resume his duties "for the time being" and reported that Aoki would be his stand-in.-Reuters