Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe said Tuesday he will check into a hospital Wednesday to undergo hip joint surgery and stay there for a month.
Masuzoe told a news conference that after a chronic backache worsened, he was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in his left hip.
He decided to receive treatment as the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly is now in recess. He plans to continue working from the hospital.
"I had an acute pain and have been feeling that I'm reaching my limits," Masuzoe said. "I will make sure I can return to the metropolitan government building and work as soon as possible after going through rehabilitation."