Shingo Yamashiro, an actor and TV emcee, died of pneumonia Wednesday at a nursing home for the elderly in Tokyo, sources said Friday. He was 70.

A native of Kyoto, Yamashiro, whose real name is Yasuji Watanabe, debuted as a movie actor in 1957. He starred in a TV drama called "Hakuba Doji" ("White Horse Rider") in 1960 and acted in a series of yakuza films titled "Jingi Naki Tatakai" ("Battle Without Honor and Humanity") in the 1970s.

He later gained popularity by hosting TV variety shows.

Yamashiro received treatment for diabetes after entering a special nursing home for the elderly in Machida, western Tokyo.