Japan

20Aug

By Person Matters Web TeamNo Comments

Shinichi Chiba, Actor

Japanese actor Shinichi Chiba 82, also known as Sonny Chiba, who dazzled action movie fans in Japan and abroad, died Thursday at a hospital in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo due to pneumonia associated with COVID-19. Chiba, the Fukuoka native, gained nationwide popularity through his role in the television drama series “Key Hunter,” which began in the late 1960s. The karate movie “Gekitotsu! Satsujin ken” in the 1970s featuring his action-filled performances became a hit in the U.S., and its popularity endures outside Japan. Chiba also appeared in filmmaker Quentin Tarantino's 2003 movie “Kill Bill: Vol.1.”

14May

By Web TeamNo Comments

Japan, Noteworthy, Profiles

Shobushi, sumo wrestler

Shobushi, whose real name was Kiyotaka Suetake, died on May 13, 2020 due to multiple organ failure caused by the novel coronavirus. The 28-year-old was the first sumo wrestler to die from the pneumonia-causing virus. He is also thought to be the first person in their 20s to die from the virus in Japan. According to the JSA, Shobushi, who suffered from diabetes, recorded a fever of about 38 C on April 4. His Takadagawa stablemaster and others contacted hospitals and local health centers but were unable to find a facility able to take in the wrestler. After coughing up blood, Shobushi was finally admitted to a university hospital on April 8 and transferred to a different facility the following day. The Yamanashi Prefecture native became the first sumo wrestler to test positive ...

26Apr

By Web TeamNo Comments

High Profilers, Japan, Profiles

Yukio Okamoto, diplomat

Yukio Okamoto a Japanese diplomat, diplomatic analyst, and proponent of strong economic and political Japan–United States relations died from pneumonia caused by novel COVID-19 at a Tokyo hospital on April 24, 2020, at the age of 75. Okamoto guided Japanese and American diplomatic relations throughout the 1980s, during an era when both countries simultaneously competed for economic influence on the global stage. He served as a diplomatic advisor and analyst for several Japanese prime ministers, including Ryutaro Hashimoto from 1996 to 1998 and Junichiro Koizumi from 2003 until 2004. Biography Okamoto was a native of Kanagawa Prefecture. He joined the Japanese Foreign Ministry in 1968, where he worked for more than 20 years. He was posted to diplomatic missions in Paris, Cair...

26Apr

By Web TeamNo Comments

Japan, Noteworthy, Profiles

Kumiko Owada, actress

Kumiko Owada –a Japanese actress, voice actress, and television presenter was admitted to a Tokyo hospital on April 6, placed on a respirator and later diagnosed with COVID-19. Okae died from pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus in the Tokyo hospital on April 23, 2020, at the age of 63. She is survived by her husband and daughter. She was known for her work on television dramas, as well as hosting entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on NHK. Okae also hosted the morning show Hanamaru Market on TBS Television from 1996 to 2014. Okae began her professional acting career in 1975. She appeared in numerous television roles and variety shows from the 1970s to the 2010s. She acted in television dramas, and hosted entertainment and variety shows, such as Renso Game on...

22Apr

By Web TeamNo Comments

Japan, Noteworthy, Profiles

Teruyuki Okazaki, karate master

Teruyuki Okazaki a tenth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, as well as the founder and chief instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) died on April 21, 2020 from complications due to Covid-19. Along with Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama, Okazaki helped found the Japan Karate Association's instructor training program. Okazaki was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. As a young man, he grew up studying judo, kendo, and aikido. In 1948, at the age of sixteen, he entered Takushoku University. It was here that Okazaki began his karate training. Teruyuki Okazaki studied primarily under Gichin Funakoshi, as well as Masatoshi Nakayama. In 1953, Okazaki graduated and was immediately appointed coach of the Takushoku team. Later that year, it was decided ...