TOKYO (Reuters) -Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida is in hospital to treat leukemia and will work remotely for a few weeks, the central bank said on Friday.

Uchida, a career central banker, is a member of the BOJ’s nine-member policy board along with Governor Kazuo Ueda and the other deputy governor, Ryozo Himino.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood, characterised by the rapid growth of abnormal blood cells. Common treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and stem-cell transplant.

The BOJ meets for the next rate review on December 18-19, followed by another January 22-23 policy meeting.

(Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

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