Photo/Illutration MISIA performs at an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Heisei emperor’s ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne in April 2019. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Popular singer MISIA was badly injured after falling off a horse during a shoot for a TV news program and forced to cancel a pair of upcoming Christmas concerts. 

The accident occurred on Nov. 15 when she participated in a horseback riding program with riders with intellectual disabilities, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc. (TBS) said on Nov. 19.

A crew from the TBS show “news 23” was filming scenes in which the singer interacted with riders at a local equestrian club.

While she was riding the horse, it suddenly picked up speed, causing her to tumble off.

Despite the accident, the singer continued the film shoot and even gave an interview, the broadcaster said.

But she was diagnosed with a break in part of a spinal bone known as a spinous process the next day, which takes six weeks to heal completely.

She has since been recuperating at home.

The broadcaster said a trainer at the equestrian club pointed out that the horse reacted to the movements of the news crew and their equipment.

“We express our heartfelt sympathy to MISIA over the fact that she was hurt during the filming,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

“We were told that the horse had been trained and was controllable by a rider. But MISIA got injured. If the crew’s movements and the presence of equipment triggered (the accident), we sincerely apologize,” it said.

The singer has approved the contents of the filmed segment, which will be aired at a later date, the broadcaster said. 

MISIA announced on her website that she will cancel Christmas charity concerts scheduled on Dec. 5 and 6.

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