The official Twitter account for singer Piko announced on Thursday that he is going on hiatus due to end-stage renal disease (kidney failure).

Piko had not been feeling well since late March. In May, he started to have abnormal fatigue. His condition did not improve, and after getting an opinion from a specialized hospital, he was hospitalized at the end of June. He has remained hospitalized since then. The medical issue that led to Piko 's current kidney failure likely began about 10 years ago but went unnoticed.

After being hospitalized, Piko began to undergo dialysis three times per week, and he also took medication. However, Piko recently had to have surgery to implant a shunt for continued dialysis. Piko 's parents plan to be donors for a kidney transplant. As Piko 's condition is not stable, he will go on hiatus. If the transplant goes well, Piko plans to increase his activity and gradually do what he can in the future.

A post from Piko 's staff on his Nico Nico Douga channel announced that while Piko focuses on treatment, his live events have been cancelled. The cancelled performances include his "Gero Live 2019 ~Reiwa Rampage Tour~" guest appearance on October 13 and a two-performer show with Pokota on November 4.

Piko has performed theme songs for Tegami Bachi: Reverse and Good Luck Girl! , as well as television rerun airings for Gintama ( Yorinuki Gintama -san ) and Katanagatari .