On Sunday, October 20th, YOSHIKI broadcast live from his studio in Los Angeles on YOSHIKI CHANNEL, his first since his third cervical spine surgery. YOSHIKI appeared in a wheelchair and corset and talked about his progress after the surgery and his current state.
After the broadcast, a Zoom fan meeting for the fan community "YOSHIKI+(PLUS)" was held, but YOSHIKI fell ill and the event was postponed. "YOSHIKI CHANNEL" started on time, but went significantly longer than scheduled, and this may have also influenced the postponement. YOSHIKI had been instructed by his doctor to refrain from working after midnight.
Prior to this live broadcast, YOSHIKI had a busy schedule, meeting doctors and attending the Asian Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, USA, where he served as a presenter.
Regarding "YOSHIKI+(PLUS)," at YOSHIKI's request, it has been decided that all members will be fully refunded for the three months from August when the service started to October. The next fan meeting is scheduled to be held in November.
During the YOSHIKI CHANNEL broadcast, he explained about his condition before and after the surgery and his current condition. "I'm sorry for worrying everyone, but I'm recovering well. I want to continue creating new art while taking care of my health," he said, expressing his gratitude. However, he also revealed that the neck surgery he had seven years ago was not a success.
He also explained that the pre-surgery examination revealed that the artificial disc inserted last time had hardened, and while there are several possible reasons for this, he expressed his relief, saying, "I heard from the doctor that the surgery was successful this time." He also said that he is in more pain than before the surgery due to the effects of the surgery, and that he plans to reduce the strength of the medication over the next few weeks as he undergoes rehabilitation.
He
also revealed that the Instagram video he posted after the surgery, which has been viewed more than 7 million times, is a humorous take on the lyrics of Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful," saying, "Will you still love me when I got nothing but my 3rd neck surgery? Will you still support me after my third neck surgery?"
During the broadcast, YOSHIKI also introduced the one-of-a-kind wheelchair he designed himself, which has been modified with a studded rock design. "Nothing will change if you scream about the pain. It's better to do the best you can now and have fun," said YOSHIKI, who values a positive attitude even in difficult situations, and shared his philosophy.
He also mentioned a question from the program staff about the high cost of surgery in America, to which he lightened the mood by saying, "The cost of surgery in America is truly astonishing. I paid with a YOSHIKI-design Rakuten card (laughs)."
On social media, fans from all over the world expressed their concern about YOSHIKI's condition, and there were also messages of encouragement such as, "I'm so happy to see Yoshiki's smiling face," "I understand how much you love and miss your fans, but health comes first. We can wait," and "The program staff's decision was too late. Don't push yourself! "
Currently, YOSHIKI is prioritizing his recovery under the guidance of a doctor in Los Angeles, while also working on a video for the Paris debut of his own high fashion brand, MAISON YOSHIKI PARIS, which is scheduled to be released soon.
YOSHIKI Official Site: https://www.yoshiki.net/
YOSHIKI YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/yoshikiofficial
YOSHIKI Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoshikiofficial/
