Ken Ogata, known for his energetic performances in numerous films and TV dramas, including the 1983 movie "Narayama Bushiko" ("Ballad of Narayama"), died Sunday, sources close to him said Tuesday. He was 71.
It was not immediately known where or how he died.
The funeral was held Tuesday in Tokyo, attended only by relatives.
Ogata, whose real given name was Akinobu, had been active until just recently, having attended a news conference in Tokyo on Sept. 30 to announce the new TV drama "Kaze no Garden" ("Garden of Wind"), scheduled to begin airing Thursday.
In the series, for which filming was completed Sept. 28, he plays an aging doctor involved in end-of-life care.
"He looked exhausted, as if all of his energy was drained. He could not stand up" after finishing the last scene, said actor Kiichi Nakai, who played the doctor's son.
At his final news conference, Ogata said of his role, "People get old not by choice . . . (age) will lead to some disease, and lead to death, whether you like it or not."
He said he had stopped eating polished white rice, considering raw brown rice better for his health.
"The only trouble for me now is (white rice used for) sushi," he said.
The Tokyo native's movies include "Fukushu suru wa Ware ni ari" ("Vengeance is Mine") in 1979, "Kichiku" ("The Demon") in 1978 and "Kataku no Hito" ("House on Fire") in 1986.
In 2000, Ogata received the government's Medal with Purple Ribbon for his contributions to the arts.
"His eyes were really beautiful, and he became like a child when he smiled. But he changed totally and looked serious when he started acting," said Sumiko Sakamoto, who costarred with Ogata in "Narayama Bushiko." "Now I feel empty, as if I've got a hole in my heart."
