How possible successors stack up if Japan PM Abe resigns

FILE PHOTO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan June 18, 2020. Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, visited a Tokyo hospital on Monday, as concerns grew over his ability to continue in his post, because of health issues and fatigue from handling the coronavirus crisis.

If Abe is incapacitated, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, would take over temporarily. If Abe resigned, he would stay on until formally replaced, which would require the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to elect a new leader, who would then be formally elected in parliament.