Japanese musician and film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto died during a battle with cancer on March 28, according to recording company Avex.
Sakamoto was initially diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, and revealed in 2022 that he had terminal cancer. His cancer diagnosis that was disclosed in 2022 came one year after saying that he suffered from rectal cancer.
He was considered a pioneer of electronics music in the late 1970s, and founded Yellow Magic Orchestra with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi.
In the statement from Avex, a spokesperson said that Sakamoto worked on music when he was feeling well despite being ill.
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Maestro Ryuichi Sakamoto poses during a photo call for the film “CODA” at the 74th Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Sept. 3, 2017. Japan’s recording company Avex says Sakamoto, a musician who scored for Hollywood movies such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. He died March 28, according to the statement released Sunday, April 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, File)
FILE – Maestro Ryuichi Sakamoto performs at Rome’s Auditorium, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Japan’s recording company Avex says Sakamoto, a musician who scored for Hollywood movies such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. He died March 28, according to the statement released Sunday, April 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
“To his final days, he lived with music,” the statement reads.
Sakamoto released a full-length album in January titled “12,” and he said composing music had a “small healing effect on my damaged body and soul,” a statement made along with the album’s release states.
The famed musician’s work for the 1987 movie “The Last Emperor” won an Oscar and Grammy. He also starred in the movie “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” which won a BAFTA Award for Best Film Music.
He was born in 1952 in Tokyo, Japan, and began studying music at the age of 10, being influenced by the Beatles and Debussy.
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FILE – Maestro Ryuichi Sakamoto performs at Rome’s Auditorium, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Japan’s recording company Avex says Sakamoto, a musician who scored for Hollywood movies such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. He died March 28, according to the statement released Sunday, April 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, speaks at the ‘Nissan Leaf The New Owner’s Meeting’ in Tokyo on March 18 2012. Japan’s recording company Avex says Sakamoto, a musician who scored for Hollywood movies such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. He died March 28, according to the statement released Sunday, April 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
The statement from Avex expressed gratitude to the medical team which treated him both in the U.S. and Japan, also thanking his fans worldwide.
“Ars longa, vita brevis,” the statement read, referencing words Sakamoto loved, referring to the longevity of art, no matter the shortness of human life.
In addition to his legacy as a musician and film composer, he was also a pacifist and spoke against nuclear power after the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdowns in 2011, which were caused by an earthquake and tsunami.
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Ryuichi Sakamoto holds the trophy after he won the Academy composition award for “The Last Emperor” in Tokyo, Japan, April, 1988. Japan’s recording company Avex says Sakamoto, a musician who scored for Hollywood movies such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. He died March 28, according to the statement released Sunday, April 2, 2023. (Kyodo News via AP)
Ryuichi Sakamoto speaks in an interview in Tokyo, Japan, March, 2017. Japan’s recording company Avex says Sakamoto, a musician who scored for Hollywood movies such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. He died March 28, according to the statement released Sunday, April 2, 2023. (Kyodo News via AP)
Funeral services for Sakamoto were held with close friends and family, the statement from Avex read.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
