Dr. Katsuya Takasu Rejects Full-Body Cancer: “Life Is Enough as Long as It’s Interesting”

I decided to do a clinical trial with my own body.

“Starting the day after tomorrow, I’ll be hospitalized for treatment five days a week. It’s like conducting simultaneous missile attacks and drone attacks—intense and aggressive.”

Speaking lively and full of life despite battling advanced cancer is Dr. Katsuya Takasu, founder and director of Takasu Clinic (79). After being diagnosed with ureter cancer in 2015, which had metastasized to other areas, he has been undergoing frequent hospital stays while fighting the disease.

In a FRIDAY interview conducted just before his hospitalization in late November, Dr. Takasu prepared for a two-month stay and made headlines by donating a cutting-edge cancer treatment device worth 160 million yen to the hospital where he would be treated.

“I’ve become unable to tolerate chemotherapy due to weakened internal organs, so I decided to conduct clinical trials on my own body. Using the newly purchased device, I pinpoint the cancer’s location and use hyperthermia to weaken it, along with a linear accelerator to target only the weakened areas with radiation—kind of like a missile attack. While most people receive treatment once a week, if you want to wipe out the enemy, simultaneous saturation attacks are more effective. So, I requested five days a week,” he said.

This ultra-aggressive approach combining two advanced treatments simultaneously may seem daunting, but Dr. Takasu is unshaken.

“Tomorrow, I’ll be playing golf in Nagoya from morning. Over the New Year, I’ll be spending time at home and attending a party at the sumo stable. Although my weekly golf routine will be replaced by treatment, if my data can contribute to future cancer treatments, I’d be happy,” he said.

The beginning of cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Katsuya Takasu, a prominent cosmetic surgeon, has gained attention not only for his expertise but also for his unique character and statements. His journey into the field began during his time as a graduate student.

“I went for a training exchange at Kiel University in West Germany. It was meant for professors, but since no one else applied, I was the only one who got to go. There, I saw surgeons performing surgeries where they cut bones to reshape noses—‘Wow, this is amazing!’ I thought. A round nose was transformed into a sleek one. I realized Japan didn’t have such advanced techniques. I knew if I brought this back, I could become the leading expert in Japan,” Dr. Takasu recalls.

In 1974, he opened Takasu Hospital in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, introducing cutting-edge techniques in plastic surgery. By 1976, he established Takasu Clinic in Nagoya, offering a free medical service focused solely on cosmetic surgery.

“At the time, the field of cosmetic surgery didn’t exist. Surgeons used to practice under the guise of general orthopedics in rundown districts, performing procedures like vaginoplasty or circumcision discreetly,” Dr. Takasu explains.

His determination to legitimize and innovate in cosmetic surgery has led to the introduction of various techniques such as liposuction, hyaluronic acid injections, Botox injections for wrinkle reduction, and minimally invasive double eyelid surgery. More recently, Dr. Takasu has even shared his expertise in South Korea, contributing to the establishment of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Despite his success, Dr. Takasu remains critical of the current state of the industry, warning about the rise of “Chokubi”—doctors entering cosmetic surgery for convenience rather than passion.

“Now, many young doctors want to join the cosmetic surgery field because it doesn’t have emergency cases, overnight duties, or the risk of lawsuits. The salary is good, and you can take breaks whenever you want. But if too many cosmetic surgeons enter the field, the country is bound to decline,” he warns.

Dr. Takasu’s stance on balancing innovation with medical ethics stems from his deep-rooted understanding of the responsibilities that come with being a physician.

 

His alias is “The Immortal Doctor.”

His titles extend beyond just “cosmetic surgeon” to include philanthropist, unsuccessful writer, educator, gambler, horse owner, Freemason, comedian, and monk. It’s not widely known that he once had the nickname “Absolute Dr. Libido.”

“When I opened my clinic, reporters occasionally visited to cover the novel concept of cosmetic surgery. One day, a reporter from Yomiuri TV asked me if I wanted to appear on the show ‘2 o’clock Wide.’ That led to me becoming a semi-regular on ’11PM’ and appearing on shows like ‘Gilgamesh Night’ (TV Tokyo) and ‘Tonight’ (TV Asahi).”

“11PM” was known for its risqué content targeted at men, making High-Sus a popular figure on late-night television. With his quirky look—complete with a mustache and a distinctive hairstyle—and the fact that he had not undergone facial surgery at the time, he became known as “Absolute Dr. Libido.” While older generations might remember him by that nickname, fewer people today directly associate it with High-Sus.

“Back then, I was doing all sorts of outrageous things. For example, there’s this organ called the ‘G-spot’ inside the vagina that provides pleasurable sensations. I proposed doing a segment where we’d use an endoscope to look at it. The staff asked if it was suitable for broadcast, and I simply said, ‘Of course. The external genitalia with pubic hair is a no-go, but the G-spot is an internal organ.’ The segment was titled ‘Unraveling the Mystery of G-spot,’ and it was a huge hit.”

More recently, he’s been featured in commercials for his rival clinic, “Nishitan Clinic,” which shocked television audiences. At 79, how has he managed to maintain such a unique and exciting life?

“For me, it’s simple: If it’s fun, I’m in. I don’t even care about whether the commercials bring in customers. The production and collaborations, like those with ‘Nishitan,’ are just because they’re entertaining.”

High-Sus enjoys life in a straightforward and carefree manner—yes to fun, no to everything else.

Unpublished photos: Dr. Katsuya Takasu, President of Takasu Clinic, says “NO” to cancer and “Life is better when it’s interesting.”