Seiji Ozawa - Japan's Ozawa Axes Concerts After Back Surgery

The former musical director of the Vienna State Opera, who completed treatment for oesophageal cancer last August (10), recently had an operation to address chronic pain in his lower back.

The 75 year old was due to conduct a series of shows in Japan in March (11), but has now axed the gigs and announced he's taking a six-month break from his career.

Organisers at Ozawa's Ongaku Juku group say in a statement: "Though the surgery was successful and his chronic back pain has been cured, he's much like an athlete and what he does really taxes his back. Therefore he has decided to concentrate on rehabilitation for about half a year."