ACTRESS and singer Miho Nakayama has been tragically found dead in the bath at her home – hours before she was due to go on stage at a Christmas concert.
The 54-year-old was known for starring in the 1995 movie Love Letter and her success as a singer in the 1980s and 90s.
3
The Japanese star failed to show up to work on Friday which led a member of her team to her home – where they tragically found her unresponsive.
She was found sitting upright in the bath, local media reports.
The staff member called paramedics who reportedly confirmed her death at the scene.
Miho was to perform at a Christmas show in Osaka today – but it was cancelled before the announcement of her death was made.
Poor health was served as the reason for cancellation.
A statement published by her agency to her website confirmed her tragic death.
It read: “We are stunned by the sudden occurrence of this event.”
Her cause of death has not been confirmed.
Miho sadly leaves behind a son who she shared with her musician ex-husband Hitonari Tsuji who is in his custody.
The couple wed in 2002 following an eight-month relationship before moving to Paris where they had their son.
In 2014 they divorced and Miho moved back to Japan.
Miho was renowned as one of Japan’s most popular teen idols throughout the 1980s and also had a booming acting career.
The star was the lead in the popular 1995 movie Love Letter about a grieving widow’s letters with a stranger.
The film was a huge box office hit – garnering attention in Japan and the rest of the world.
This role earned Miho several best actress awards.
In her successful career she recorded 22 studio albums and scored a whopping eight No 1 singles on Oricon charts.
Two of these hits sold over one million copies each.
Miho’s younger sister is retired pop star and actress Shinobu Nakayama and she also has a younger brother called Tomoaki.
3