What kind of disease is “one step ahead of multiple myeloma” that drove Taro Yamamoto to resign? Overwork and Aging” undermine the Diet

irreversible damage to his bones, kidneys, and immune system.

Reiwa Shinsei Gumi representative Taro Yamamoto, 51, decided to resign from the Diet due to his own health problems. The reason behind this decision was his condition, “one step ahead of multiple myeloma,” a condition that carries the risk of progressing to blood cancer. The fact that he was forced to choose to step down from the front lines of national politics at the prime of his working years has quietly sent shockwaves through the political world.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood in which plasma cells, which produce antibodies in the bone marrow, become cancerous and produce large amounts of abnormal immune proteins (M proteins). As the disease progresses, it has serious effects on the entire body, including brittle bones, bone fractures, anemia, kidney dysfunction, and severe infections caused by a weakened immune system.

Dr. Yoshimasa Goto, Chairman of Goryokai Medical Corporation, explains.

Multiple myeloma is a disease with few subjective symptoms in its early stages, often showing only signs that are often blamed on age or overwork, such as tiredness, back and back pain, and anemia. However, once the disease progresses, it can leave irreversible damage to the bones, kidneys, and immune system.

Yamamoto’s term “one step ahead” is likely to refer to “precursor conditions” such as MGUS (monoclonal immunoglobulinemia) and asymptomatic multiple myeloma. In these cases, the disease is not cancer itself, but is at risk of progressing to multiple myeloma in the future.

Approximately 1% of MGUS patients will progress to multiple myeloma each year. Asymptomatic myeloma has an even higher rate of progression in the early years and should be followed closely with regular blood tests and imaging studies. The “one-step ahead” stage is not a reassuring state of affairs, and requires a major reassessment of one’s life and work load.

This brings up the harshness of the professional environment of a politician.

Long working hours, lack of sleep, domestic and international travel, and extreme mental strain are known to disrupt the immune system and hormonal balance, and increase the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, Japan’s political world has an “aging structure” with many politicians in their late 70s and 80s at the center of power.

Health and Job Limitations

Medically speaking, this age group is a high-risk group with rapidly increasing incidence of cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, kidney failure, and cognitive decline. Dr. Goto points out that, “In addition to advanced age, chronic stress and sleep deprivation are also a major concern for this age group.

In addition to advanced age, chronic stress and sleep deprivation have been shown to compromise immune surveillance mechanisms and may increase the risk of malignant tumors, including blood cancers.” The life of a politician is not a “health-friendly environment” from a medical point of view.

Just recently, former Prime Minister Naoto Kan (79) announced that he has dementia, and former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide (77) announced his retirement from politics. Both are examples of politicians who are aware of their responsibilities at the forefront of politics and have decided to “step aside.

However, there are not many politicians who openly and honestly disclose their health condition and limitations and make a graceful decision to retire from politics.

For politicians, public disclosure of health problems can lead to a decline in support and disadvantage in elections. This is because illness and physical insecurity can be singled out as “weakness” and a factor in losing votes. For this reason, in many cases, a slight ailment has been kept under wraps and covered up with the words, “I will get over it with my strength” or “I will continue with my sense of responsibility.

However, the risks are immeasurable for those who are in a position to steer the nation and continue to make critical decisions while in a less-than-perfect state of mind.

While the 51-year-old Yamamoto decided that he could not face national politics in his best condition and gave up his seat in the Diet, the reality is that politicians who are in the late elderly age bracket are still in charge of important national decision-making. The double burden of “overwork” and “aging” is like a ticking time bomb that is piling up in the Diet as a whole.

Yamamoto’s illness and decision, Naoto Kan’s announcement of his dementia, and Suga Yoshihide’s announcement of his retirement were all choices made in the face of “the limits of his health and responsibilities,” and were actions that demonstrate his integrity and sense of responsibility as a politician.