Ryuichi Sakamoto, the famed keyboardist of the Japanese electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) who won an Oscar, has died. He was 71.
Sakamoto's fans around the globe expressed their heartbreak and sadness after the confirmation statements on the legendary Japanese musician emerged. His death was first announced through his official Twitter page and the record label he founded, Commons.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Dead at 71
On Twitter, the account simply shared an image that shows the text "January 17 1952 - March 28 2023." The dates were Sakamoto's birth and death. The official social media account shared no further texts.
Meanwhile, Commons - the record label he founded - released a follow-up statement Sunday to reveal Ryuichi Sakamoto's cause of death. It said that the musician passed away following his lengthy battle with cancer.
Sakamoto's doctors detected cancer while he was undergoing treatment for another health problem. Despite several health conditions since his first diagnosis, Commons said he continued to work in his home studio whenever his body and health would allow him to do so.
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— ryuichi sakamoto (@ryuichisakamoto) April 2, 2023
"He lived with music until the very end. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to his fans and all those who have supported his activities, as well as the medical professionals in Japan and the U.S. who did everything in their power to cure him," the statement continued.
The label divulged that the funeral service was only open to his close family as it was what Sakamoto had always wished for. The event had already been completed when the label released the announcement.
Commons also included Sakamoto's favorite line, "Art is long, life is short," in the announcement.
Ryuichi Sakamoto's Health Issues Before Death
His cancer battle started in June 2014 when his doctors diagnosed him with oropharyngeal cancer. This caused him to take a year-long hiatus from making music.
The National Cancer Institute says oropharyngeal cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells form in a person's oropharynx tissues. Some of its causes include smoking and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
The following year, Sakamoto officially returned, during which he said he already felt good amid his treatment. Still, he reminded his fans that his cancer might return in a few years, especially since radiation treatment can lower one's immune system.
Sakamoto said he was susceptible to another cancer in his body.
In 2021, he delivered good news and bad news about his health. While his oropharyngeal cancer already went into remission, he was then diagnosed with rectal cancer.
His last album will be released on May 5.
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