Ryuichi Sakamoto has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

In a message posted on his website, the composer and former Yellow Magic Orchestra member said "the news was disheartening, but thanks to the excellent doctors I met, the surgery I underwent was a success. I am now undergoing treatment."

Expressing gratitude to the medical staff who've treated him, particularly amid the "overwhelming hardships" of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sakamoto added: "Due to these circumstances, travelling long distances for work will be difficult. Still, I will continue to work as much as I can during treatment."

He continued: "From now on, I will be living alongside cancer. But, I am hoping to make music for a little while longer."

Sakamoto previously battled throat cancer in 2014, taking a break from his work for some time before returning in 2015 when it went into remission.