Japanese actor and singer Miho Nakayama, known for starring in the hit 1995 film "Love Letter," popular TV shows such as “Mama wa Idol!” (1987) and “Kimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteru!” (1989) and for her early career work as an idol in the 1980s, was found dead at her residence in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Friday. She was 54.
“It is with deepest regret that we have to make this sudden announcement to all those who have been involved with (Nakayama’s career) and to the fans who have supported her, but it has happened so suddenly that we are also stunned and saddened by the news," read a statement released by her management company on Friday.
The company said in a separate statement on Sunday that autopsy results showed her death was not a criminal case, and that it was an "unfortunate accident" that happened when she was taking a bath.
According to a report by Jiji Press, she was found bent over in the bath tub of her home by people in her management company, who called the police. She was later confirmed dead by doctors at the scene.
She had a solo Christmas show scheduled in Osaka on Friday, but had canceled the show in the morning, citing health reasons.
Nakayama, born in 1970 and known by her nickname “Miporin,” entered the entertainment industry at age 12 after being scouted on the streets of Tokyo. She rose to stardom in 1985 after the release of her first single “C,” which established her popularity as an idol. She won the Japan Record Award for best new artist that year.
The following year, her song "Tsuiterune Notterune" was chosen as one of Japan Record Award's best songs of the year.
Nakayama was also known for hit songs such as “Sekaiju no Dare yori Kitto,” and “Toi Machi no Dokoka de...,” as well as her role in various TV shows and movies, including “Suteki na Kataomoi,” (1990) and more recently, “W's Tragedy” (2019).
For her work in the acting world, she was nominated for the Japan Academy Prize in 1998 for her performance as lead actress in “Tokyo Biyori.”
She was preparing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her singing debut next year with a national tour. She had toured around the country to perform over the previous two years.
A day before her death, she posted a picture on her Instagram account of an artwork from an exhibition by French American artist Louise Bourgeois with the caption “my heart was so overwhelmed for a couple of days I could only talk with my friend I went with.”
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