Sanma Akashiya (69) revealed on Fuji TV's "Akashiya Santa's Biggest Christmas Present Show in History" on the 24th that he had lost his voice this summer and decided to temporarily retire.

When Sanma said about the annual program, which has now aired over 30 times, "We have been doing this since we were in our 30s," newscaster Akiko Yagi made everyone laugh by saying, "I was in my 20s."

Sanma began by saying, "I will also turn 70 next year, and I will refuse to do so, but this year my voice reached its end during the summer."

He revealed, "I thought that I had reached the end of my rope and was planning on retiring, so I met with President Okamoto."

"Then, I'm sorry, but it will probably be the end of the year. I said I couldn't speak anymore, and (President Okamoto) said, No, you are still speaking. I started speaking from that day on," he said.

"My voice is now being supported by my muscles," he said, and now all the staff who come into his dressing room ask, "We're worried about your voice," and "What was it like then?" so he says, "I have to talk again."

The most important thing is to sleep and not talk, but he said, "I'm not sleeping and I'm talking. I'm coping at the moment."