‘Departures’ Actress Ryōko Hirosue Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Suspends “all entertainment activities”

By Barrier Free Japan, extract from NHK

May 2 2025

TOKYO – Ryoko Hirosue who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and other conditions, suspends entertainment activities.

Actress Ryoko Hirosue has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and other conditions, and has announced on her personal agency’s official website that she will be suspending all entertainment activities for the time being.

In April, Hirosue was involved in a rear-end collision on the Shin-Tomei Expressway in Shizuoka Prefecture, and was arrested on suspicion of assault for kicking a nurse at the hospital where she was taken, but was later released pending further action, and the police are continuing their voluntary investigation.

According to the official website of Hirosue’s personal agency, after her release, Hirosue was hospitalized at a medical institution in Tokyo and diagnosed with bipolar disorder and hyperthyroidism.

She will continue to receive outpatient treatment and recuperate at home, and will suspend all entertainment activities for the time being and focus on recovering both physically and mentally.

Her personal agency commented, “We have no intention of avoiding responsibility by claiming that her condition is due to illness, and we will continue to respond sincerely to the police investigation. We sincerely ask for your kind support.”