Ryuichi Sakamoto cancels all shows following cancer diagnosis

Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has cancelled all his forthcoming dates after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

The renowned electronic innovator and ex-Yellow Magic Orchestra member has called off his July 30 performance at Park Hyatt Tokyo and his appearance at the Sapporo International Art Festival this year, “a project that I have spent the past two painstaking years preparing for,” as he explained in a statement.

“After much thought and consideration, I have decided to take time off of work in order to concentrate on treating it,” the 62-year-old added. “I deeply regret causing so many people considerable inconvenience. However, the first wealth is health, and so this bitter decision.”

The Oscar-winner finished on a positive note, however, saying: “I promise to return after a full recovery.”

Below we’ve embedded one of our favourite Sakamoto pieces, taken from his 2006 collaboration with Alva Noto. [via RA]