Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi said Thursday she will soon undergo stomach cancer surgery -- but expects to return to work by February or March.
The cancer is at an early stage, she said. "I was shocked, but I think it is my responsibility to get well and return to work as soon as possible," she added.
Takahashi, 50, had planned to pay an official visit in February to Sakhalin in Russia. She is now considering whether to cancel the trip or send someone else on her behalf.
A doctor informed her Tuesday that she had the disease, following medical checks she underwent last year.
Takahashi, who was elected in April, said that while she is in hospital, she will have to work on the draft budget for fiscal 2004.