TOKYO: The death of Japanese actress and singer Miho Nakayama, who was found in her bathtub last week, has been ruled an accident, her agency says.
Police confirmed there is no suspicion of foul play in the death of the 54-year-old, who was known for her role in the acclaimed 1995 romantic film Love Letter and had a string of hit J-pop songs in the 1980s and 1990s.
The police have also stated that there is no indication of suicide, and they consider the circumstances surrounding her death to be tragic but accidental.
“It was found that the cause of her death was due to an unexpected accident that occurred while bathing,” the agency said via the actress’ website.
The police said a representative of her agency and an acquaintance visited her home after she failed to arrive for an appointment on December 6.
The front door of her home was locked and she was found seated in a bathtub filled with water, according to investigative sources.
Miho was scouted for the entertainment industry in 1982 and made her debut as an actress in the TV drama Maido Osawagase Shimasu. She also acted in the movie Be-Bop High School (1985) and released her first single that same year.
She was best known for playing the leading role in the 1995 movie Love Letter, for which she won Best Actress at the Blue Ribbon Awards, Yokohama Film Festival and Hochi Film Awards.
She was married to fellow musician Hitonari Tsuji from 2002 to 2014 and leaves behind their son.
The news has left many fans and colleagues in Japan and overseas mourning as they remember Nakayama’s immense contributions to the world of film and music. - Agencies
