According to NHK, Akihito, who was treated for prostate cancer in 2003 and underwent heart surgery in 2012, plans to make a formal announcement shortly.

In a small study, the researchers tracked 30 men with low-risk prostate cancer who decided against conventional medical treatment such as surgery and radiation or hormone therapy.

Men with a high risk of prostate cancer recurrence could live longer if hormone treatment is given alongside radiotherapy after surgery, a new study has suggested.