TOKYO, Apr 3: After keeping the crisis from the public for nearly a full day, a senior Cabinet minister said today that Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi was In a coma following a stroke and he had taken over as Japan's acting premier, reports AP.

Obuchi. 62. required an artificial respirator today after being admitted at Tokyo's Jun-tendo University Hospital the day before, said acting prime minister Mikio Aoki.

Aoki, who assumed the posl-

tion of acting prime minister this morning, said Obuchi's condition deteriorated shortly after they met tn the hospital Sunday evening. Obuchi had gone to the hospital after complaining of fatigue.

Before falling into the coma. Obuchi, whose wife is by his side, was able to personally request Aoki assume leadership. Aoki said he would decide whether to dissolve the Cabinet — so that a new leader could be installed — once Obuchi's prog-Officials stressed after an emergency Cabinet meeting that Obuchi's illness would not bring any change In policy. Obuchi's ruling party continues to be firmly in control.

Taichi Sakaiya, head of Japan's Economic Planning Agency, said economic policies remained solid.

"It is not possible that (Obuchi's illness) will have an impact on economic policies." he said.

But concerns were raised that Obuchi's absence could hinder Japan's ability to host the G-8 summit of the world's leading Industrialized countries this summer. Il could also Intensify Jockeying for power ahead of parliamentary elections. which must be held before October.

Along with the shock of Obuchi's sudden illness, many Japanese were expressing anger at the government's failure to disclose the crisis sooner.

Obuchi's Illness was not announced until 22 hours after he was admitted to the hospital. Aoki's initial announcement Sunday night lasted only four minutes, and he refused to provide details on what had happened to Obuchi.

nosis became more clear.

"Since he is in a coma, it is impossible for the prime minister himself to make his own decision (about his resignation)." Aoki said. "His condition requires extreme vigilance."

Newspapers were already speculating on who might succeed Obuchi, as Aoki was seen more as a stopgap replacement. Two politicians named were Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Yoshiro Mori.

Security was tight around the hospital where Obuchi was being treated. Police had cordoned off the area, and no one was being let in. Doctors refused to comment on the prime min -ister's condition.

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TOKYO, Apr 3: Japan's cabinet will resign tomorrow to pave the way for new leadership elections in parliament as Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi lies in a coma in hospital. Yoshiro Mori, the number-two figure in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was hotly favoured to succeed Obuchi with backing from all major LDP factions. AFP said quoting Jiji Press and Kyodo news agencies.

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