Japanese Academy Award-Winning Actress Yuko Takeuchi Passes Away at 40

The 40-year-old actress’ death was confirmed by the hospital. Police officers suspect the cause as a suicide even though no suicide notes were found, according to BBC.

Stardust Promotion, Takeuchi’s talent agency, said they were “stunned and saddened by the news.”

Takeuchi, who was born in Saitama Prefecture in 1980, made her acting debut in the 1996 drama “Cyborg” and rose to fame by starring in lead roles in the 1999 NHK hit drama “Asuka” and the 2001 medical love story “Love and Life in the White,” Variety reported.

Takeuchi also made her film debut in the 1998 horror movie “Ring” in a supporting role. Her first starring role was in the 1998 teen drama “Innocent.” The actress played the female version of Sherlock Holmes in the 2018 series HBO series “Miss Sherlock.”

Takeuchi, who is a mother of two, including an infant boy who was born in January, won the best actress in a leading role at the Japanese Academy Film Prize from 2004-2007.

Takeuchi’s death is the latest in a recent string of suicides in the Japanese entertainment industry. Actress Sei Ashina was found dead inside her Tokyo apartment earlier this month and reality TV star and professional wrestler Hana Kimura died in May.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Feature Image via @yuko_takeuchi0401