Masahiro Maezono, a former player for the Japan national soccer team, sustained a significant injury while filming a segment for a TV Tokyo variety show, which has been revealed in a recent announcement by the network. The incident occurred on February 28 during a game called 'Mission' in the program 'Travel Battle: Bus vs. Train Connection Challenge.' While attempting the challenge, Maezono fell on an unstable slope, resulting in damage to his right knee, diagnosed as a lateral meniscus tear. He underwent surgery on March 6, with a projected recovery period of approximately six weeks before he can resume normal walking.

TV Tokyo expressed regret regarding the occurrence of this injury, stating that it happened despite the production team having identified the potential dangers involved in the 'Mission' segment and requested modifications beforehand. In their official statement, the network apologized for the distress and inconvenience caused to Maezono and all involved, stressing that they take the incident seriously and will cooperate with external legal counsel to investigate the causes of the accident.

In response, Maezono shared his relief over the successful completion of the surgery and his commitment to rehabilitation, aiming for a quick return to public appearances. His comments reflect a positive outlook on his recovery process, showing determination to work hard in rehabilitation so he can be back in front of fans and audiences as soon as possible.