Early Edition

Japanese P.M. Obuchi in a Coma; Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki Named Acting Prime Minister

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CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Japan's prime minister, Keizo Obuchi, slipped into a coma this morning at a Tokyo hospital and is on artificial respiration after suffering a stroke over the weekend. Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki has been named acting prime minister.

Our Tokyo bureau chief Marina Kamimura is covering the story.

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MARINA KAMIMURA, CNN TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): The news that Keizo Obuchi was lying in a coma in a Tokyo hospital shocked Japan. The prime minister spoke in public only hours before he was hospitalized.

The dramatic turn of events began with a late-night news conference Sunday, when the top government spokesman said the prime minister was hospitalized, suffering from exhaustion.

Until Sunday evening, the nation had been gripped by a volcanic eruption in Northern Japan, then a stunning revelation in the morning. Aoki had visited the prime minister's bedside the night before.

MIKIO AOKI, ACTING JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We have judged that he may not be able to come back to his job for the next couple of days, therefore, I have taken the position of acting prime minister as the prime minister instructed me to.

KAMIMURA: Then, a few short hours later, this: The announcement that the prime minister was in a coma and possibly may not recover. Even though they kept the news about the prime minister's true state away from the public for more than 18 hours, the cabinet did what it could to assure the world that there was no need to worry and an acting prime minister was already in place.

KIICHI MIYAZAWA, JAPANESE FINANCE MINISTER (through translator): Aoki is in control of everything, everyone will obey him.

KAMIMURA: While the prime minister's health is anything but predictable, it's unlikely his absence would dislodge his party, the Liberal Democrats, from power. And while there will likely be a struggle within the party, as LDP politicians decide who should become Japan's next prime minister, analysts say, no one wants to be seen standing in the way of a quick and smooth transition, should one become necessary.

(on camera): And so the reigns of power in Japan rest for the time being with Mikio Aoki, as Mr. Obuchi lies in a coma. Aoki is a close Obuchi ally, and was hand picked by the prime minister, himself, to be his stand-in. So few here expect any sudden changes in government policies.

Marina Kamimura, CNN, Tokyo.

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LIN: News of the prime minister's condition and the change at the top of Japan's government, came after trading ended today on the Tokyo stock exchange. The Nikkei average finished nearly two percent higher though for its session; its highest level in more than three years.

President Clinton is calling Prime Minister Obuchi, "a good friend," and the president says, "We hope for his speedy recovery." Mr. Clinton is in California, but CNN's Major Garrett is at the White House this morning with more -- Major.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

The president's national security officials monitored the situation overnight and will brief the president when he awakes this morning in San Jose. The White House is also awaiting word from the Japanese government on the possible appointment of a permanent successor to Prime Minister Obuchi.

The president may address the situation during a speech later today in San Jose on free trade, particularly free trade in Asia. White House officials do not expect a dramatic change in Japanese government or its economic policies. One key question outstanding, though, is whether the new prime minister, should there be one, can adequately prepare for the G-8 conference scheduled in Okinawa in July. The G-8 is the largest meeting of the industrialized democratic nations; it's scheduled for Okinawa in July -- Carol.

LIN: All right, thank you very much, Major Garrett, at the White House.

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