Veteran actor and comedian Shiro Ito has announced that he will retire from the entertainment industry in June 2027, when he turns 90 years old. 

Ito will officially retire on June 15th, his 90th birthday. His long-running radio program Ito Shiro Yoshida Terumi Oyaji Netsuai, which has aired on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting for 30 years, will also come to an end with its June 12th broadcast.

Ito began his career as a member of the comedy trio Tenpuku Trio alongside Shinsuke Minami and Mutsuo Totsuka in 1962. After the trio disbanded in 1973, he built a career spanning variety shows, television dramas, and films.

Ito said, "This may come suddenly, but I will be retiring when I turn 90. I've become quite an old man. My eyes, ears, brain, back, knees... everything is rapidly declining. During drama shoots, I've begun causing trouble for the staff and cast. From now on, I’ll be the one watching and listening."