Kabuki performer Nakamura Matagoro died of natural causes at his home in Tokyo on Saturday after establishing a reputation as a skilled supporting actor, Shochiku Co. said. He was 94.

Matagoro, whose real name was Yukio Nakamura, was recognized as a living national treasure in 1997. He made his debut in 1921 as a child actor and performed various roles, displaying his talent in a wide range of areas, including plays and television programs.

Since the 1970s, the Tokyo native had devoted himself to nurturing future kabuki actors while lecturing on the traditional performing art overseas to boost its recognition.

Fuji Kamiya

Fuji Kamiya, a professor emeritus of international politics at Keio University, died of acute cardiac failure in Yokohama early Friday, his family said. He was 82.

The Nagoya native was also a guest professor at Columbia University in New York.

His books include "Chosen Senso — Bei-Chu Taiketsu no Genkei" ("The Korean War — Root from Sino-American Confrontation").

Chusaku Oyama

Artist Chusaku Oyama, an Order of Culture recipient, died at a Tokyo hospital Thursday of multiple organ failure triggered by blood poisoning, his family said Friday. He was 86.

After graduating from the Tokyo Fine Art School, now known as Tokyo University of the Arts, in 1943, Oyama produced several Japanese paintings on various subjects, including portraits, birds, flowers, landscapes and religion.

In 1986, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy, a special organization under the Cultural Affairs Agency that promotes fine arts, music, literature, dancing and drama.

Oyama also served as chairman of Nitten, or the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition, and was awarded the prestigious Order of Culture in 2006 for his numerous eminent paintings.