Japan's leader says hospital trip was just for checkup

 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe brushed off lingering worries about his health Wednesday, saying he went to hospital only for a checkup.

“I got a checkup a day before yesterday to make absolutely sure I’m healthy,” he told reporters. “I’m getting back to work w, and I hope to keep working hard. Thank you.”

He walked off, without responding to reporters’ follow-up questions about checkup.

Abe was seen Monday sitting in a car that drove into Keio University Hospital in Tokyo, n emerging several hours later. At that time, neir he r his office me comments.

visit raised a flurry of speculation in Japanese media about his health, coming after a top ruling party politician said publicly that Abe was overworked and needed rest.

Abe, 65, stepped down in 2007, during his earlier stint as prime minister, citing health problems, but was elected for second time as leer in 2012.

He is longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history. Japan is a nation kwn for having leers serving relatively short periods, often resigning amid scandal.