Paul McCartney cancels whole tour of Japan due to illness
Beatles star 'disappointed' to let down fans but doctors have ordered him to have 'complete rest'

Sir Paul McCartney has cancelled his entire tour of Japan after contracting a virus. The 71-year-old was due to perform three shows in Tokyo and one in Osaka during his Out There Japan Tour this week, but he became ill soon after arriving in the country last Thursday. Doctors have ordered him to have a "complete rest".
On Sunday, McCartney was apparently planning to perform despite his ill-health, but his team and doctors would not allow it. He is still scheduled to perform in Seoul, South Korea, on 28 May, followed by 19 performances in the United States.
The singer had been due to perform on Saturday and Sunday at Tokyo National Stadium and tomorrow at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, where the Beatles performed during their first tour of Japan in 1966. He was also scheduled to play at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka this Saturday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But a statement from the organisers, Kyodo Tokyo, said he had not recovered and the cancellation of the whole tour was "unavoidable". McCartney has only ever had to reschedule a handful of shows in his entire career, according to the organisers, and is "upset about this situation" as he "hates to let people down".
McCartney has thanked his fans for their "kind messages of support". But he added: "Unfortunately my condition has not improved overnight. I was really hoping that I'd be feeling better today. I'm so disappointed and sorry to be letting my fans down."
A spokesperson for the singer said that "all possibilities to find a solution to reschedule these shows as soon as possible are being explored".
McCartney enjoys "cult-like popularity among Japanese fans", says the Daily Telegraph. Tickets for the shows, including seats that cost around £585, had sold out. Kyodo Tokyo said it would start issuing refunds on 22 May.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
G20: Viola Davis stars in 'ludicrous' but fun action thriller
The Week Recommends The award-winning actress plays the 'swashbuckling American president' in this newly released Prime Video film
By The Week UK
-
The Masters: Rory McIlroy finally banishes his demons
In the Spotlight McIlroy's grand slam triumph will go down as 'one of the greatest and most courageous victories in the history of golf'
By The Week UK
-
What is your net worth and why is it worth knowing?
the explainer Take stock of your assets
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
6 stellar noctourism adventures
The Week Recommends After the sun sets, the fun begins
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Help! Do we really need four Beatles biopics?
Talking Point The cast of Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics has been announced
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Why Japanese residents can't watch their country's Oscar-nominated #MeToo documentary
THE EXPLAINER Shiori Ito became one of the faces of Japan's #MeToo movement
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Fukuoka: a Japanese metropolis with vibrant history, superb eating and less tourists
The Week Recommends A harborside Japanese city that meshes the ancient and the very modern
By Scott Hocker, The Week US
-
How to celebrate New Year's Eve globally without leaving home
The Week Recommends Stock up on grapes and (safely) set a scarecrow on fire
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Amanemu: an ultra-luxury onsen retreat in Japan's Ise-Shima National Park
The Week Recommends Soak in blissful private solitude among pine-cloaked hills and steamy hot springs
By Scott Campbell
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Stay sharp with the country's best knife shops
The Week Recommends A dull knife is a kitchen's worst nightmare
By Scott Hocker, The Week US