Miho Nakayama Dies: J-Pop Star & ‘Love Letter’ Lead Was 54

Sara Merican

6 December 2024 at 6:00 am·1-min read

Japanese singer and actress Miho Nakayama was found dead at her home in Tokyo on Friday.

Born in Saku, Japan, Nakayama was known for her lead roles in Love Letter (1995) and Tokyo Weather (1997), among others. She was 54.

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Nakayama was scheduled to perform at a Christmas concert in Osaka on Friday, but she had canceled her appearance, citing health reasons.

Nakayama’s team confirmed the news of her passing on her website, which stated: “We are deeply sorry to have to suddenly announce this to all the people involved who have always looked after her and to all the fans who have supported her, but this incident was so sudden that we, too, are shocked and saddened. We are currently investigating the cause of death and other details.”

Nakayama made her acting debut in Maido Osawagase Shimasu in 1985 and released her first single, “C.”

She later starred in the feature film Be-Bop High School and recorded 22 studio albums, with eight No. 1 singles in Japan. Her work across film, TV and music cemented her place as one of Japan’s most famous stars during the Japanese cultural wave in the 1980s and 1990s.

Her performance in Love Letter won her Best Actress at the following year’s Blue Ribbon Awards in Japan and the Hochi Film Awards. The film also picked up the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Nakayama is survived by a son that she shares with her former husband, musician Hitonari Tsuji.

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