Actor Shoma Ikegami (24), best known for playing Marehiko Itsuki in the "Prince of Tennis" musicals, will soon be retiring from show business. According to his agency foursprings, the reason for his departure is his poor health.

Ikegami, a graduate student at Tokyo University, had to cancel a fan club event last summer due to his health. A few weeks later, his agency reported that he was headed for recovery, but his blog was never updated again after that. On Friday, his management finally broke the silence, revealing that because of the trouble caused to his fans and those working around him, Ikegami's contract is being terminated. The company further stated that Ikegami is leaving show business.

Ikegami's fan club is being closed while his blog, which has been active since July 2007, is being shut down on May 16.