Ken Watanabe Now in Hospital for Cancer

 I'm Nathan Shiga and had something else to write to you about today but switched at the last-minute to a more disturbing but somewhat reassuring news of our dear Ken Watanabe.

Japan's leading actor Ken Watanabe is now in the hospital with his stomach cancer operated and removed, his office bared February 9. An earlier medical thorough checkup had detected an early-stage cancer in his stomach and an endoscope operation was conducted in a tokyo hospital to have the tissue removed. He is reportedly in good shape and recuperating.

Ken Watanabe was scheduled to star in the musical "King and I" in New York Broadway starting January 1 but will have to postpone it for some time.

Ken had his leukemia operated twice in 1989 and 1994, and returned to Hollywood and active work ever since. His vocals in King and I made out in CD is nominated in the Grammy Awards and the ceremony is due next week.

Ken Watanabe told through his office that an earlier medical checkup had detected the sign of an early-stage cancer iand that the last week's operation turned out successful to have it removed. He added that he is carefully preparing for this stage work.

On his days in the hospital and his condition after the operation Ken twittered thus:

"Gee, I was shocked. My wife had told me to just go check and see. I did and that's what they told me. Lucky, it's in an early stage. So, I had it removed. I know I'm causing you all lots of headache, but bear with me. It was kind of miracle that they checked it out this early. Checking is vital, I can tell you that.

"I can't thank enough to my wife - and my daughter who arranged my thorough check."

This had better be the last one, Ken.