Japanese singer-songwriter Shinji Tanimura, who was known for hit songs such as "Subaru" ("Star"), which also made him popular in China, died at a hospital on Oct. 8, his music agency said Monday. He was 74.
Tanimura, leader of Japanese folk group Alice, which was formed in 1971, underwent surgery for acute enteritis in March this year, and was receiving ongoing treatment at the time of his death.
Aside from popular songs produced by the trio, Tanimura was known for his 1980 solo signature piece "Subaru," depicting a person on a journey who wishes upon a constellation of stars. He performed the song at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.