<figure id="attachment_418003" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-418003" style="width: 1797px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="c8e4c2e6"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/03/b3425f3d235fddb71c8f509b180c168c.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-418003" class="wp-caption-text">The termination of some regular programs is also being considered.</figcaption></figure>
<h2> Daily life is also affected.</h2>
<p> Masanori Hamada, 61, of &#8220;Downtown&#8221; fame, has decided to take a leave of absence due to poor health. At present, he has nine regular programs. The popular duo, who have been at the forefront of the TV and comedy worlds for many years, have all decided to take a short break.</p>
<p> Wife and TV personality Natsumi Ogawa (62) wrote on her blog <span class="strongInContent">, &#8220;We have been running for decades. Even when I was tired, I had little time to get in shape,&#8221; she said,</span> adding, &#8220;I <span class="strongInContent">&#8216;m relieved that we can take a break this time,&#8221;</span> as a family.</p>
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<p> Dr. Tetsuya Kubota of the Kubota Clinic Matsudo Goka says, <span class="strongInContent">&#8220;In today&#8217;s stressful society, the number of men suffering from male menopause is on the rise.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Male menopause (LOH syndrome) is caused by a decrease in male hormone (testosterone) levels from the late 40s to 50s. The main symptoms include fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, insomnia, and depression. Unknowingly, the mental and physical ailments can compound and, if left untreated, can interfere with one&#8217;s life.</span></p>
<p> In the past, Hiromi (60) confessed that when she reached her 50s, she suffered from sudden fatigue and loss of motivation, suspected the possibility of menopause, and took medication for treatment. Actor Masanobu Katsumura (61) confided that <span class="strongInContent">he &#8220;no longer had the same energy as before&#8221;</span> and publicly stated that he realized the existence of male menopause.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent">He said, &#8220;Male menopause is different from mere decline due to aging; it is greatly affected by hormonal imbalance. In particular, the more stressful the environment, the more accelerated the decline in testosterone, and the stronger the symptoms may be,&#8221;</span> Dr. Kubota points out.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> In general, male menopause is easily overlooked. Many people leave it as &#8216;I&#8217;m just tired&#8217; or &#8216;it&#8217;s just my age,&#8217; but if it becomes chronic, it increases the risk of depression and lifestyle-related diseases.&#8221;</span></p>
<p> If symptoms of male menopause are suspected, treatment at an early stage is recommended.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> In addition to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it is effective to stimulate testosterone secretion through moderate exercise and improved diet. Having hobbies and time to relax can also help reduce menopausal symptoms,&#8221; says Dr. Kubota.</span></p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" Matsumoto Hitoshi&#39;s hiatus has had an impact!"></div>
<figure id="attachment_418010" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-418010" style="width: 1417px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="36a448a2"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2025/03/90b3e70c2c425f320858f15479605581.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-418010" class="wp-caption-text">It&#8217;s been a year since I refrained from activities.</figcaption></figure>
<h2> Is the cause &#8220;stress&#8221;?</h2>
<p> In addition to the symptoms of menopause, stress from work and family life can make physical and mental problems even more serious.</p>
<p> For Hamada, the self-restraint over the female troubles of his partner, Hitoshi Matsumoto (61), must have been significant. Having known Matsumoto since junior high school and having spent most of his illustrious career together, it is not difficult to imagine that the pressure and responsibility of his partner&#8217;s departure from the public stage has placed a heavy burden on him, and that his mental burden and heartache have increased dramatically.</p>
<p> Koji Imada (59), a younger colleague who had accompanied him for nearly 40 years, revealed on a variety show that when he sent Hamada a message of sympathy, he received an out-of-character reply saying, &#8220;Thank you,&#8221; and speculated that the cause of his absence might be stress.</p>
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<p> In Japan, the idea that &#8220;continuing to work is a virtue&#8221; is deeply rooted. Especially in the entertainment industry, simply taking a break can lead to whispers of retirement or serious illness. This is in contrast to the West, where people actively take vacations to refresh themselves and aim for even better work.</p>
<p> Menopause is a symptom that can be remedied if properly addressed. As Natsumi Ogawa wrote in her blog, <span class="strongInContent">&#8220;Under the doctor&#8217;s guidance, I am going to let him take his time to make sure he is in perfect physical condition.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Male menopause and stress can happen to anyone. However, by not letting it go unchecked and taking a break when necessary, you can regain renewed vigor.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Although the understanding of male menopause is still insufficient in Japan, I believe that Mr. Hamada&#8217;s rest will be helpful to many people as an example of such a proper way to take a break,&#8221; says Dr. Kubota.</span></p>
<p> We hope that &#8220;active rest&#8221; will spread throughout Japanese society as a result of Hamada&#8217;s practice, who reigns at the top of his field.</p>
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 Ippei Hara (1st), Kojiro Yamada

 Masanori Hamada's leave of absence shocked the entertainment world. The reason given was "poor health," but the doctor pointed to male menopause and his partner Hitoshi Matsumoto's refraining from activities as the reasons behind his absence.

A Doctor Explains &#8220;Insomnia and Depression if Left Untreated&#8221;&#8230; &#8220;Male Menopause and the Risk of Heartache&#8221; as Seen in Masao Hamada&#8217;s Absence.

A Doctor Explains “Insomnia and Depression if Left Untreated”… “Male Menopause and the Risk of Heartache” as Seen in Masao Hamada’s Absence.

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