Japanese musician and song-writer Gackt has announced his indefinite hiatus, due to his dysphonia progressing to a life-threatening stage.

The post on his official website explains that after returning to Japan on August 6th, he commented he was unwell. After this, his condition suddenly worsened.

An unspecified early onset dysphonia – which can come from a neurological issue- had been triggered. This causes a raspy voice, but can lead to difficulty swallowing and breathing. The news post confirms it had progressed to a life-threatening condition, but is currently stable.

After consulting doctors and employees, being ill for several weeks, and losing 10 kg (just over 22 lbs or 1.5 st); Gackt and his agents had concluded it would be impossible to sing due to severity of his condition.

Gackt also made a post, revealing that after returning in August he had fainted several times.  As it had happened once every few years, and it had not happened recently, he assumed he had got better. He also reveals for the last 10 years, he was preparing to be cured overseas, but otherwise had no idea what triggered it, or if it was a neurological disorder.

While being depressed for a few days, Gackt is keeping his hopes high, and hopes to move forward together with others going through hard times. Gackt also swears he will keep his promise of his next album and tour.

Gackt has released nine studio albums and 48 singles; holding the male soloist record for the most top ten consecutive singles in Japanese history. Along with over 10 million records sold, his work has appeared in anime and video games.

These include Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII, New Fist of the North Star, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Kamen Rider Decade, and lending his voice to be used as a Vocaloid. He has also acted in several films and plays, writing the film Moon Child, and writing, composing, and directing Moon Saga: Mysteries of Yoshitsune I & II.