TOKYO: Japan's gaffe-prone Prime Minister was forced to apologise yet again yesterday after criticising ailing elderly people for 'making no effort' to stay healthy, a comment that could offend many in the world's most rapidly ageing country.

'They're hobbling around and constantly going to the doctor,' Mr Taro Aso was quoted as telling the government's top economic advisory panel.

'Why do I need to pay (medical costs) for (sick elderly patients) who don't do anything, who just sit there eating and drinking?' - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, during a discussion on the nation's social welfare system and medical care on Nov 20. 'I respect the kindergarten director who said that the people who should be disciplined are mothers rather than children.' - Mr Aso, speaking to a gathering of parents with young children on Nov 19. He thought that they were the kindergarten teachers. ... more

In the space of a couple of weeks, he has offended doctors and parents of young children, and upset various factions in his own party, in a string of verbal blunders that have left some analysts wondering about his grip on power.

Commenting on Japan's ballooning medical costs, Mr Aso told the panel that he tried to stay healthy by taking a daily walk, and asked why his tax payments should go to fund medical care for others who were more lax.

'Going to class reunions at the age of 67 or 68, I see feeble old people who go to the doctor's a lot,' he told the panel.

'My medical expenses are a lot lower because I walk and so on,' said the Prime Minister, who comes from a wealthy family. 'I am paying taxes. Why do I need to pay (medical costs) for (sick elderly patients) who don't do anything, who just sit there eating and drinking?'

His comments came during a discussion on the nation's social welfare system and medical care - topics of great concern for Japan, where growing medical and pension expenses are critical issues. The comments have drawn criticism from the Japanese media after a transcript of the Nov 20 meeting was released overnight.

'The comments are likely to draw controversy as they can be interpreted as placing blame on the sick,' the Yomiuri newspaper reported yesterday.

Mr Aso, 68, yesterday retracted his comments. 'I apologise for having offended the feelings of those who are currently sick,' he said.

'If I hurt the feelings of anyone who is ill now, I am sorry,' Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying.

'The point I was making was that there is a very large gap between people who maintain good health and who pay attention to prevention, and those who don't. The media picked up only a part of my remarks.'

Coming on the heels of earlier insensitive remarks, Mr Aso's comments are likely to erode his already sagging popularity.

He has already had to apologise for joking about people with Alzheimer's disease, saying the ideal country would be one that attracts 'the richest Jewish people', and comparing the opposition Democratic Party of Japan to Nazis.

Last week, he said doctors, a key support group for the ruling party, 'lack common sense'.

As foreign minister, he raised ire in Asia by crediting Japan's brutal colonial rule before World War II for raising the level of literacy in Taiwan, hinting that his nation had done the island a favour.

Mr Aso's right-hand man, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura, indicated that the Prime Minister's gaffes were likely to continue.

'There are likely to be more such remarks,' he told reporters.

'That's part of his charm.'

ASSOCIATED PRESS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS