Miho Nakayama Obituary, Death; – Japanese actor Miho Nakayama was discovered deceased in the bathtub of her Tokyo residence on Friday. She was 54 years old.
Ms. Nakayama achieved fame as a singer during the 1980s and 1990s, a period marked by the prominence of J-pop, but she is perhaps most recognized for her role in the 1995 film Love Letter.
An acquaintance found Ms. Nakayama on Friday after she did not arrive for work. Emergency services were contacted, and they pronounced her dead at the scene, according to local media reports.
The circumstances surrounding her death are currently under investigation. Ms. Nakayama had been scheduled to perform a Christmas concert in Osaka on Friday but had to cancel due to health issues.
A statement released on her website by her agency confirmed her passing on Friday. “We are shocked by the unexpected nature of this event,” the statement read, noting that the cause of her death has yet to be determined.
In addition to being one of Japan’s most beloved teen idols in the 1980s, Ms. Nakayama also had a distinguished acting career, particularly noted for her leading role in Love Letter, a film that tells the story of a grieving widow’s correspondence with a stranger.
The film was a significant box office success and received critical praise both in Japan and abroad. Ms. Nakayama’s performance earned her multiple best actress accolades. She is survived by a son, who is currently in the custody of her ex-husband, musician Hitonari Tsuji.
