Famed Japanese Composer Ryuichi Sakamoto Dead at Age 71
The award-winning artist was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021.
Famed Japanese composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto died at 71 on March 28, while the news officially broke following his funeral on April 2.
“He lived with music until the very end. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to his fans and all those who have supported his activities, as well as the medical professionals in Japan and the U.S. who did everything in their power to cure him,” his management company wrote in a statement.
The Grammy-winning artist was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, then battling bowel cancer after getting diagnosed in 2021. His health condition didn’t stop him from writing new music and delivering online performances to his fans.
Born in Tokyo on January 17, 1952, Sakamoto received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He later formed the electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978 with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi.
Throughout his career, the late creative built a discography of over 20 solo LPs, while being awarded an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Grammy and two Golden Globes. Some of his most well-known music include the score for The Last Emperor, Last Buddha, The Revenant and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence in which he also co-starred with David Bowie.
Sakamoto is survived by his manager and wife Norika Sora, his ex-wife and pianist Akiko Yano, and his four children.
