X Japan suspends international tour due to Yoshiki's health

[Tokyograph News]

Yesterday, it was reported that musician Yoshiki has suddenly canceled a scheduled visit to Korea and Taiwan, but the reason was unknown at the time. Today, it was learned that Yoshiki is currently suffering from some health problems, and as a result, X Japan's international concerts have been indefinitely postponed.

Yoshiki has been suffering from chronic disc herniation (also known as a "slipped disc") in his neck and is also experiencing tendinitis. For several years, he has been medically advised to wear a corset during his concerts to help address the problem, though he disregarded that advice for X Japan's reunion concerts at the Tokyo Dome in March. Despite suffering a separate injury during the first of those shows, he continued his energetic performances, and at the hide memorial event in May, he re-triggered the herniated disc.

According to one source, Yoshiki is at home in Los Angeles receiving medical treatment and is mostly immobilized. The extent of the injury this time is said to be serious. Yoshiki has previously had to take extended time off due to his condition, spending half a year in recovery in 1990 and nine months in 1996.

X Japan had scheduled concerts for Paris (July 5), Taiwan (August 2), and New York (September 13), with additional shows being planned. However, ticket sales have now been stopped. It is not yet known if and when the shows will be rescheduled.

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Jesus Christ...

I'm really disappointed...but I would much rather have Yoshiki get better rather than have him perform sick.

He'll be in my thoughts and prayers

Don't get me wrong, I really really really like Yoshiki and think the man is a bloody genius, but he is such an <i>intense</i> musician and I saw how much the one S.K.I.N. concert took out of him -- there is no way he should be touring at all as a drummer. I feel so bad for him (I hate thinking of how much pain he must be in) and for the fans who have tickets (even though the concerts have only been postponed and not cancelled yet.)

I wish him a speedy recovery - please take better care of yourself Yoshiki-sama!

I'm so glad I got to see him when I did. ^___^