Square Enix has announced that Yasumi Matsuno has stepped down as the producer of Final Fantasy XII due to health issues. Today's Square Enix statement revealed that Matsuno has been ill for some time, but he will stay on the project as a supervisor. SaGa series director Akitoshi Kawazu will replace Matsuno on the FFXII staff.

"Final Fantasy XII's development producer Yasumi Matsuno has left his position to recover from his illness, and he is currently working as a supervisor [on the game]. His roles in the project are being passed on to the section leaders, and our development staff is working hard on its production. The game is just one step away from completion, so please look forward to it. We are confident that we will deliver a Final Fantasy beyond everybody's imagination on March 16," read the Square Enix statement.

Matsuno also had a personal statement, saying, "To all the fans that have been waiting for the release of Final Fantasy XII, I'm sorry that its development has been taking an extremely long time. I unfortunately will have to take a step away from the production scene, but the game is progressing in its development under the hands of excellent staffs, including Minagawa, Ito, and Akiyama."

Final Fantasy XII is set to release in Japan on March 16, 2006. A US release is expected later that year.

• GameSpot