Mikio Date hospitalized for cerebral infarction; addresses Sugiyama scandal

Mikio Date, a member of the comedy duo Sandwichman, is currently undergoing hospital treatment following a diagnosis of cerebral infarction. His management agency confirmed the diagnosis, noting that symptoms such as numbness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking can sometimes disappear within minutes, which may lead individuals to delay seeking medical attention.

In a recent radio broadcast, Date sent a message through his partner, Takeshi Tomizawa, addressing the recent legal troubles of comedian Hiroyuki Sugiyama from the trio Wagaya. Sugiyama was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of shoplifting food items at a supermarket in Tokyo. Date expressed disappointment regarding the incident but noted Sugiyama's kindness during his own illness, stating that he hopes Sugiyama reflects on his actions to regain trust and return to comedy.