J-pop star and actress Miho Nakayama has died at the age of 54.
The Japanese actress – who found success as a singer in the 1980s and starred in films including 1995’s Love Letter – has been found dead in a bathtub in her Tokyo home.
The BBC report that an acquaintance discovered Nakayama on Friday after she failed to show up for work. They called the paramedics, who confirmed her death at the scene.
She was due to perform at a Christmas show in Osaka this evening, but cancelled her performance due to ‘poor health’.
A statement published by her agency on Nakayama’s website confirmed her death on Friday.
‘Today, December 6th, our talent Miho Nakayama was found dead at her home.
‘We are deeply sorry to have to suddenly announce this to all the people involved who have always looked after her and to all the fans who have supported her, but this incident was so sudden that we, too, are shocked and saddened.
‘We are currently investigating the cause of death and other details.’
Nakayama was one of the biggest J-pop stars in the genre’s 1980s heyday having been discovered by a talent scout in high school.
She became the face of Japanese brands, and went on to shoot to pop and acting stardom in 1985, when she appeared in TBS drama Maido Osawagase Shimasu and released her first single, C.
In the film Love Letter – which was a huge hit – she played both Hiroko Watanabe and Itsuki Fujii.
Nakayama also starred in a number of TV series including A Sleeping Forest in 1998, Like Shooting Stars in the Twilight in 2018, and Kizoku Tantei in 2017.
Her last Instagram post was of a piece of art at the Louise Bourgeois exhibition, which she visited days before her death.
She posted a picture of a piece yesterday, which read the words: ‘I have been to hell and back. And let me tell you, it was wonderful.’
In the caption, she said: ‘I went to the Louise Bourgeois exhibition the other day. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos
‘It tore my heart out for a few days, and I could only talk to the friend who went with me. I’m not very good at photos, but even if I was good, I couldn’t express anything.’
Fans have taken to social media to express their sadness at the sudden news, as kotachan_39 wrote on Instagram: ‘I was looking forward to seeing you at Billboard today, but… I can’t believe it.’
Yoshiko.126 said, ‘I’m really shocked. I’ve been watching dramas and music shows since I was little,’ while yupuyupu 24 added: ‘I still can’t believe it. Miporin will always be my idol. May she rest in peace.’
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