Doctors Concerned About Parkinson’s After Mino Monta’s Choking Incident

“I have no intention of quitting drinking.”

Monta Mino (80) was rushed to the hospital on the night of January 16 after choking on a piece of meat while dining at a high-end yakiniku restaurant. Fortunately, his life is not in danger. However, given that he once served as the MC of “Gogo wa ○○ Omoikkiri Terebi” (Nippon TV) and was recognized by Guinness on November 28, 2006, as the host who appeared live on television for the longest hours in a week, news of his condition has come as a surprise.

At his peak, products featured on Mino’s shows would sell out immediately, earning him immense trust. He was also a key figure in sparking Japan’s health boom. Even after that, he continued hosting numerous programs, but in 2019, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and withdrew from the public eye. At the same time, he began speaking openly about Parkinson’s, encouraging others suffering from the disease.

Last year, in an interview with “FRIDAY,” he spoke energetically:

“I eat what I like, and I drink alcohol every night. I prefer sake chilled and whiskey on the rocks—that hasn’t changed since the old days. My drinking amount hasn’t decreased either. I finish a bottle of whiskey in about three days. Drinking is my biggest joy now, so I have no plans to quit.”

Enjoying life as usual, Mino continued with a remark that made the reporter laugh:

“My doctor told me, ‘Mino-san, you got Parkinson’s at a good time.’ When I asked why, he said a great new medicine had come out that suits me perfectly. Guess what it’s called? ‘Dom Peri’ (Note: its official name is Domperidone). Sounds like a joke, right? But it’s a perfect match for me. That’s why I gladly keep taking it. Maybe the slow progression of my condition is thanks to ‘Dom Peri’ as well.”

However, Dr. Yoshimasa Goto, director of “Goryokai Clinic Takanawa Shirokane,” points out the possibility that Mino’s Parkinson’s disease may have progressed further.