Much like Sei Hiraizumi, it seemed like this guy was everything.

Masahiko Tsugawa passes away from heart failure

Actor Masahiko Tsugawa passed away on August 4th from heart failure. He was 78 years old. A private funeral has already been held for family and close friends, but a public memorial service is scheduled to be held shortly.

Tsugawa made his debut in 1956 in "Kurutta Kajitsu" and has starred in numerous movies, dramas, and plays. He comes from a show business family - his grandfather was director Shozo Makino, his father actor Kunitaro Sawamura, his mother actress Tomoko Makino, and his brother actor Hiroyuki Nagato.

Source: Oricon

If the name doesn't ring a bell, the face should:https://www.jdorama.com/artiste.tsugawa-masahiko.487.htm

gaijinmark wrote:

Much like Sei Hiraizumi, it seemed like this guy was everything. Masahiko Tsugawa passes away from heart failure Actor Masahiko Tsugawa passed away on August 4th from heart failure. He was 78 years old. A private funeral has already been held for family and close friends, but a public memorial service is scheduled to be held shortly. Tsugawa made his debut in 1956 in "Kurutta Kajitsu" and has starred in numerous movies, dramas, and plays. He comes from a show business family - his grandfather was director Shozo Makino, his father actor Kunitaro Sawamura, his mother actress Tomoko Makino, and his brother actor Hiroyuki Nagato. Source: Oricon If the name doesn't ring a bell, the face should:https://www.jdorama.com/artiste.tsugawa-masahiko.487.htm

One of my favorite Japanese actors. Was the lead (Tokugawa Ieyasu, a role he played a number of times) in Aoi Tokugawa Sandai, the best written, best acted, most enjoyable Taiga I have seen. Also acted in a number of Itami Juzo films. Heck, he acted in a lot of films and dorama over his long career. A terrific actor.

Momoko Sakura passes away at 53: https://kotaku.com/momoko-sakura-one-of-japans-most-famous-manga-creators-1828622590

Back when channel 18 actually used to have some Japanese programming, "Chibi Maruko Chan" would air every Friday morning. Has one of those theme songs you can't get out of your head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML0W4_0qcks

Actress Kiki Kirin passed away yesterday at 75. She had cancer for a number of years. She didn't do much TV work, mostly movies. Rather than post an obituary, thought I would post this interview from a couple years back. It gives a good idea of what she was like: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/film-tv/article/1928233/kirin-kiki-everyones-favourite-japanese-screen-grandmother

gaijinmark wrote:

Actress Kiki Kirin passed away yesterday at 75.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/vod/closeup/4002717/

Actress Kyoko Enami passes away at 76

Actress Kyoko Enami has passed away from emphysema at the age of 76.

Her agency announced, "Kyoko Enami passed away on October 27th. On October 26th she complained of feeling ill and was immediately hospitalized. However, she was unable to recover and passed away the following night."

Enami was born in Tokyo on October 15, 1942. She joined Daiei film company in 1959 and made her film debut in 'Otouto' the following year. Her 1966 film 'Onna no Toba' was a big hit making her Daiei's top star. She has starred in dramas such as "Gokusen", "Carnation", and "Beppin-san".

Source: Oricon

Johnny Kitagawa passes away at 87

Johnny's & Associates president Johnny Kitagawa has passed away on July 9th due to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. He was 87 years old.

On June 18th, Kitagawa was rushed to the hospital after he lost consciousness. He was put on life support in the intensive care unit, but later transferred to the general ward where he spent his last days with Johnny's entertainers that came to visit him.

According to the announcement by the agency, the Johnny's entertainers took turns visiting Kitagawa so he wouldn't feel lonely. They shared memories with him as Johnny's music, both old and new, played in the background. "The time Johnny spent with the entertainers at the hospital was precious," they mentioned.

Kitagawa's vigil and funeral will be held with his "children," who are Johnny's entertainers and Johnny's Jr. members. A public memorial will be scheduled at a later date.

Source: natalie

Kaoru Yachigusa passes away at 88: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/10/20c2380f3c7f-kaoru-yachigusa-actress-in-samurai-the-legend-of-musashi-dies.html

gaijinmark wrote:

Kaoru Yachigusa passes away at 88: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/10/20c2380f3c7f-kaoru-yachigusa-actress-in-samurai-the-legend-of-musashi-dies.html

RIP. I had seen her in many dramas and have always enjoyed her acting. She will be missed.
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玉木宏、藤木直人、佐藤健

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Tetsuya Watari passes away at 78: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/08/cc28bee4ff7a-famed-veteran-japanese-action-movie-star-singer-watari-dies.html

Tamura Masakazu passes away at 77: https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2021051801276/japanese-actor-masakazu-tamura-dies-at-77.html

I could never get into Sudoku but I know some people that are totally addicted: https://www.yahoo.com/news/japans-kaji-godfather-sudoku-dies-014503125.html

Sonny Chiba passes away at 82

Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba passed away on August 19th at a hospital in Kimitsu City, Chiba due to complications of pneumonia caused by COVID-19. He was 82 years old.

According to his agency, Chiba contracted the virus in late-July and had been treating it at home. However, he was hospitalized on the 8th due to worsening of pneumonia and placed on oxygen supply.

Chiba was born in 1939 in Fukuoka Prefecture. He gained popularity after starring in the TBS drama 'Key Hunter' in 1968. Since then, he has starred in numerous films including 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' and 'The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift' as well as dramas including 'Kage no Gundan' series and 'Fuurin Kazan.'

Chiba married actress Yoko Nogiwa in 1973, but the couple divorced in 1994. Their daughter is actress Juri Manase. He then remarried, and had two sons, actors Makenyu Arata and Gordon Maeda.

She wasn't a dorama actress, but if, like me, you're old enough to have watched the mini-series "Shogun" in 1980, you remember her.

Yoko Shimada passes away at 69

Actress Yoko Shimada died on July 25th from colorectal cancer. She was 69 years old.

After starting out in the 1970s, Shimada earned a Golden Globe for her role as Mariko in the 1980s miniseries 'Shogun'.

In recent years, Shimada had been focused on filmmaking and had been searching for a story to work on until she died.

No mention of Yuko Takeuchi. She was my favourite Japanese actress.
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^ We talked about her passing over on her thread: https://jdorama.com/viewpost.964153.htm#964153

Welcome back, long time no see!

gaijinmark wrote:

^ We talked about her passing over on her thread: https://jdorama.com/viewpost.964153.htm#964153 Welcome back, long time no see!

Ah I searched for Yuko Takeuchi, that’s why I couldn’t find a thread.

Thanks, thought I’d swing by and see what’s happening.
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http://www.facebook.com/kenjimlewis
also on twitter @71digiboy