EXILE ATSUSHI, who had been on hiatus due to health issues, updated his Instagram on the 27th to announce his return to activities after approximately a year and a half.

In his post, he began with a declaration of his comeback, stating, “Thank you for waiting so long. Today is September 27, which is also the 23rd anniversary of EXILE's debut. I wanted to deliver some good news on this special day. Over the past few months, I've been discussing with my staff how to best proceed. I’m pleased to announce that the 47-prefecture live tour ‘Heat to Heart,’ which was planned for 2023, will resume around April of next year. At the same time, I also want to restart my production activities with EXILE.”

Reflecting on his health situation, ATSUSHI reported that he had initially informed his agency about his poor condition in mid-March last year. Following a meeting with business associates, he was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning, which prompted his hiatus. In September of the same year, he disclosed that he was also suffering from Lyme disease. Currently, ATSUSHI explained, “It’s a challenging illness to fully recover from, but for now, it is in remission. I am being careful in my daily life to prevent symptoms from arising. The fluctuations in my health have stabilized significantly, and considering my age, I want to deliver my music to the best of my ability without overdoing it.”

Looking back on his time away from the stage, ATSUSHI expressed gratitude for the invaluable moments spent with his family and friends. He mentioned experiences like meditation training in India, detoxification, and training in poetry recitation. “The time I spent during this hiatus was not wasted; rather, it felt essential for my personal growth,” he recalled.

ATSUSHI concluded his message by apologizing to fans for the wait but emphasized the necessity of this period for his future as an artist. “Thank you all for your continued support,” he added.