Enka music icon Mikawa Kenichi has openly declared he has Parkinson's disease. The singer, renown for his prominence in Japan's traditional music genre, had kept his diagnosis secret until now. There is yet no clear information whether the 73-year-old entertainer's professional career will be affected by the disease. Parkinson's disease is a long-term degenerative disorder of the nervous system that primarily affects the motor system.

In Japan, celebrities' personal illnesses are often considered private matters and are rarely disclosed. Mikawa Kenichi’s public disclosure of his health condition is not typical, indicating his intent to bring awareness about Parkinson's disease within his society. The health of traditional cultural icons, like Mikawa, are also especially significant in preserving traditional forms of arts and entertainment.

Like in Japan, celebrities' health issues in the US or EU are largely considered private, but there are cases of public figures sharing their health struggles to raise awareness or break societal stigma. Michael J. Fox's battle with Parkinson's Disease in the US, for example, has led to considerable attention and research on the degenerative disorder.