Prime Minister Fumio Kishida decided Monday to skip a planned speech in the afternoon after undergoing endoscopic surgery for nasal congestion late last week, a government official said.
Kishida, who has been in good condition following the surgery, resumed his official duties earlier in the day, but it is still difficult for him to speak for a long time, the official said. He was scheduled to give an address at the Kyodo News headquarters in Tokyo, but will send a video message instead.
The prime minister, who has suffered from chronic sinusitis causing nasal congestion and other symptoms such as headache, underwent the surgery at a hospital in Tokyo on Saturday.
After returning to his official residence on Saturday, Kishida went to the hospital again for post-operative care the following day.
On Monday, Kishida told reporters he is recovering well.
In the video message, Kishida said he will "politely explain" his government's policies to the public amid growing concern that he could carry out large-scale tax hikes to boost defense spending and cover the costs of implementing measures to facilitate child-rearing.
As Kishida was placed under general anesthetic during the surgery, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno temporarily stepped in for the prime minister.