Teruhiko Kuze, a writer and producer of popular TV dramas, died Thursday morning at his home in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, an employee of Kuze's TV production company said. He was 70.

Kuze's wife found him, the Kanox Co. employee said. He had worked up until Wednesday, he said. The exact cause of death has yet to be determined.

Kuze began working in 1960 for what is now Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. He produced popular dramas, including "Jikan Desuyo" ("It's Time") and "Terauchi Kantaro Ikka" ("The Family of Kantaro Terauchi"). He established Kanox in 1979.

Kuze was also well known for his novels and essays.