Takaichi cancels TV appearance due to arm injury while campaigning

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday canceled an appearance on a TV program, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party saying she is receiving treatment after injuring her arm during the election campaign.

The long-running political debate program aired by Japan’s public broadcaster NHK had planned to feature party leaders ahead of the Feb 8 House of Representatives election, for which official campaigning kicked off on Tuesday.

Later Sunday, Takaichi said on social media, “I hurt my arm when it was pulled hard while I was shaking hands with enthusiastic supporters at a campaign event.”

“I have rheumatoid arthritis, and my hand became swollen,” she said, adding she received medical treatment on short notice, with no change to her schedule for campaign speeches planned for later the same day in Aichi and Gifu prefectures.

According to a government source, a medical officer visited the prime minister’s official residence shortly after 8 a.m. on Sunday to provide treatment.

Norihisa Tamura, an LDP executive, replaced Takaichi and appeared on the program. He said that Takaichi likely strained her arm through repeated handshakes and constant movement on the campaign trail, and he apologized for her absence.

© KYODO