Here are 2 famous musicians from Japan died in Respiratory failure:
Gorō Naya (November 17, 1929 Hakodate-March 5, 2013 Chiba) also known as Gorou Naya, Gorô Naya or Naya Gorô was a Japanese actor, theatre director and voice actor.
He was born in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan and graduated from Hokkaido University. Naya was known for his deep, distinct voice and iconic roles in Japanese anime and television dramas. He voiced many popular characters such as Inspector Zenigata in Lupin III, Shiro Sanada in Space Battleship Yamato, and Captain Hook in Peter Pan no Boken. Naya also acted in films including Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha and television dramas such as Abarenbo Shogun and Hissatsu Shiokinin. In addition to his acting career, Naya also worked as a theatre director and was a founding member of the theatrical company, Bungakuza.
Throughout his career, Naya received numerous accolades and awards for his contributions to Japanese entertainment. In 2006, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese government for his achievements in the arts. He also received the Merit Award at the Seiyu Awards in 2008, which is a prestigious award given to voice actors who have made significant contributions to the industry. Naya passed away at the age of 83 in Chiba, Japan due to pneumonia. His legacy as one of Japan's most beloved voice actors and actors continues to live on through the iconic characters he portrayed and the impact he made on Japanese entertainment history.
Naya's acting career spanned over five decades and he made a significant contribution to the anime industry. He was a regular voice actor in Lupin III and provided the voice for Inspector Zenigata in almost all adaptations of the series. Naya was also known for his role as the narrator in the popular anime series, Space Battleship Yamato. He lent his voice to many other anime characters such as Jūzō Okita in Space Battleship Yamato and Koko in Astro Boy. Naya was also the voice of Captain Hook in the Japanese dub of Disney's Peter Pan.
In addition to his work in anime, Naya appeared in numerous television dramas and movies. He often played the role of a villain, due to his deep, menacing voice. He had a notable role in Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha where he portrayed Oda Nobunaga, a famous daimyo or feudal lord in Japan's history.
Aside from acting, Naya was a respected theatre director and a founding member of the theatrical company, Bungakuza. He directed many plays for the company, including adaptations of works by William Shakespeare and Anton Chekhov.
Overall, Naya's contribution to Japanese entertainment industry through his acting, voice acting and theatre direction, made him a legend in Japanese media.
Naya's influence in the industry was not limited to his acting and directing work. He was also known for his mentorship of younger actors and voice actors, and for his contributions to the development of the Japanese dubbing industry. He was instrumental in establishing the Japanese Association of Audiovisual Producers (JAAP), which played a key role in advancing technical standards and improving working conditions for voice actors in Japan.
Naya's impact on Japanese culture was recognized not only through his awards and accolades, but also through the lasting legacies of the characters he brought to life. His voice continues to be associated with some of the most memorable characters in Japanese anime and pop culture, and his performances have been enjoyed by generations of fans.
In his personal life, Naya was known for his passion for music and art, and for his dedication to his family. He was married to fellow actress and voice actress, Keiko Han, and their son, Akio Otsuka, also became a successful voice actor in his own right.
Today, Gorō Naya is remembered as one of the most iconic and influential figures in Japanese entertainment history, and his legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.
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Ken Utsui (October 24, 1931 Koto, Tokyo-March 14, 2014 Nagoya) was a Japanese actor. He had one child, .
Ken Utsui was a well-known actor in Japan, best known for his roles in the popular superhero film franchise, "Super Giant." He played the title character in the films, which were produced by Shintoho from 1957 to 1959. Utsui also appeared in numerous other films and television dramas throughout his career. He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1994 for his contributions to Japanese culture. In addition to his acting work, Utsui was also known for his philanthropy, particularly his efforts to support people with disabilities. He founded the "Ken Utsui Smile Safari" program in 1987, which took children with disabilities on trips to various locations around Japan. He continued to work as an actor until his death in 2014 at the age of 82.
After graduating from Meiji University, Utsui began his acting career in the late 1950s. He quickly became a household name due to his work in the "Super Giant" series, which was one of the first superhero franchises in Japanese cinema. Utsui's portrayal of the character was widely beloved by audiences and helped to kickstart the superhero genre in Japan.
Although he is best known for his work in the "Super Giant" films, Utsui appeared in a diverse range of roles throughout his career. He worked with some of the most respected directors in Japanese cinema, including Yasujirō Ozu and Akira Kurosawa. He also appeared in a number of television dramas, including the popular series "Key Hunter" and "Ultra Q."
Utsui was dedicated to supporting those in need throughout his life. In addition to the "Ken Utsui Smile Safari" program, he also supported multiple charities and organizations that worked with people with disabilities. He was known for his kindness and generosity, and many of his fans remember him not only as a talented actor, but also as a compassionate and caring individual.
Today, Utsui's legacy lives on in the form of his many contributions to Japanese culture and society. He is remembered as one of the most important actors of his era, and his work continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and performers.
In his later years, Utsui also began to appear in commercials, using his popularity to promote various products and causes. He was particularly passionate about promoting tourism in Japan, and often appeared in commercials promoting different regions of the country. Utsui was also an avid collector of traditional Japanese art, and his collection included numerous valuable pieces of calligraphy, ceramics, and paintings. In addition to his collection, Utsui regularly donated to museums and cultural organizations to help preserve Japan's artistic heritage. He was a true icon of Japanese culture, both on and off the screen.
Utsui was known for his dedication to his craft, often saying that he felt a sense of responsibility to his fans and the broader Japanese community. His commitment to acting and philanthropy made him a beloved figure in Japan, and he remained active in his work until the very end of his life. Utsui passed away on March 14, 2014, leaving behind a legacy that has continued to inspire and uplift people around the world.
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