Japanese musicians died because of Pancreatic cancer
Here are 2 famous musicians from Japan died in Pancreatic cancer:
Machiko Soga
Machiko Soga (March 18, 1938 Hachioji-May 7, 2006 Kunitachi) otherwise known as Naoko Yukita or Soga Machiko was a Japanese singer and voice actor.
She gained worldwide fame for her role as the iconic villainess "Bandora" (Rita Repulsa in the English version) in the popular children's TV show "Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger" and its adapted American version "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" in the 1990s. Soga appeared in various other television series, movies, and Japanese horror films during her career. She was also a prolific voice actress, lending her voice to animated series, video games, and dubbing foreign films. Soga passed away in 2006 at the age of 68 due to pancreatic cancer. She left behind a legacy as one of the most iconic and beloved actresses in Japanese pop culture history.
Prior to her acting career, Soga started her professional life as a cabaret singer in the 1950s. She then transitioned into television dramas, particularly those aimed at children. Her most notable roles included the villainous "Queen Hedrian" in "Denji Sentai Megaranger" and "Witch Bandora" in "Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger."
Soga was known for her distinctive voice, which was often used for cartoon characters, Japanese dubs of foreign films, and video games. She provided the voice for the character "Ganon" in "The Legend of Zelda" video game series.
Outside of her acting career, Soga was also a philanthropist and donated time and resources to various causes, particularly those aimed at helping children. In recognition of her contributions, she was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon in 2007.
Soga's portrayal of "Bandora" has been praised for its complexity and depth, helping to bring a new level of nuance to the role of villains in children's entertainment. Today, she is still celebrated as a pop culture icon and is remembered fondly by fans around the world.
In addition to her professional career, Machiko Soga was also known for her personal life. She was married twice and had one son from her first marriage. Interestingly, her son, Keiichi Wada, also pursued a career in the entertainment industry as a composer and music producer. Soga was known to have a close relationship with her son and often cited him as a source of inspiration in her work. Soga was also a strong advocate for animal rights and was a devoted pet owner. She was particularly fond of cats and often talked about her love for them in interviews. It is reported that she once saved a kitten from a busy road, which eventually became one of her beloved pets. Soga's impact on Japanese pop culture is still felt today, with tributes and homages to her iconic roles continuing to be produced. Fans regularly visit her memorial, located in Tokyo's Kunitachi City, to pay their respects to the beloved actress and voice actress.
Read more about Machiko Soga on Wikipedia »
Kei Tomiyama
Kei Tomiyama (October 31, 1938 Anshan-September 25, 1995 Shinjuku) also known as Kunichika Tomiyama, Tomiyama Kunichika, Tomiyama Kei or Toyama, Kei was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator.
He is best known for his voice acting in popular anime series and films such as Space Battleship Yamato, Lupin III, and Mobile Suit Gundam. Tomiyama was a pioneer in the field of anime voice acting and was known for his distinct voice and range of character portrayals. He began his career as a stage actor in the 1960s before entering the world of voice acting in 1963. In addition to his work in anime, Tomiyama also lent his voice to numerous video games and television commercials. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 56 due to lung cancer. Despite his untimely death, his legacy in the anime industry lives on and he continues to be remembered as one of the most talented voice actors in Japanese entertainment history.
Throughout his career, Kei Tomiyama voiced a wide range of characters that became iconic to anime fans. Some of his most famous roles included the captain in Space Battleship Yamato, Ishikawa Goemon XIII in Lupin III, and Char Aznable in Mobile Suit Gundam. He was also known for his ability to voice female characters convincingly, such as the character Yamato Sue in Star Blazers.
Tomiyama's talent as a voice actor was recognized with various honors and awards. In 1979, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 3rd Anime Grand Prix for his role in Mobile Suit Gundam. He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Award at the 2nd Seiyu Awards in 2008, which recognized his contributions to the voice acting industry.
Aside from his work in anime and voice acting, Tomiyama took part in several live-action movies and TV dramas, including the 1971 film, The Battle of Okinawa. He also lent his voice to various video games such as the popular Dragon Quest series.
Tomiyama's legacy continues to inspire those in the anime industry, and his impact on the industry can still be felt today, more than two decades after his passing.
In addition to his voice acting work, Kei Tomiyama was also a talented narrator. He lent his voice to numerous documentaries, commercials, and educational videos throughout his career. He was particularly noted for his expertise in narrating historical and military films due to his captivating tone and delivery. In fact, his expertise in this area earned him the nickname "the voice of the Pacific War." Tomiyama was also active in promoting the voice acting industry and was a founding member of the Japan Actors' Union's seiyu division, which aimed to improve working conditions and benefits for voice actors. His contributions to the industry were recognized posthumously in 2010 when he was inducted into the Anime Hall of Fame.
Read more about Kei Tomiyama on Wikipedia »