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Oscar winner Ryuichi Sakamoto dies at 71

Great mourning for Ryuichi Sakamoto. Born in Japan, he discovered his passion for music at an early age. In the 1970s he studied music composition – he did his master’s with a special focus on electronic and ethnic music. Later he composed mainly for films. He even won an Oscar for his performance in The Last Emperor. But now there is sad news: Ryuichi has died at the age of 71.

As reported by the BBC, citing his office, Ryuichi succumbed to the effects of his cancer on March 28. A statement from his management said: “While undergoing treatment for cancer he was diagnosed with in June 2020, Sakamoto continued to create works in his home studio whenever his health condition permitted.” He lived with the music to the end.

Ryuichi Sakamoto, composer
Ryuichi Sakamoto, composer

In addition, management thanked Ryuichi’s fans and everyone who supported him, as well as the doctors who tried to heal him. The statement also says: “At Sakamoto’s express request, the funeral service took place with his immediate family.”

In 2007, he also launched the ambitious Schola project, curating 17 compilations of global music ranging from Ravel and Beethoven to Japanese pop. It was released on his record label Commmons, which he founded in 2006, and has also released work by artists such as Boredoms and OOIOO.

Ryuichi Sakamoto in October 2018 in Busan, South Korea
Ryuichi Sakamoto in October 2018 in Busan, South Korea

He began a fruitful collaboration with German musician Carsten Nicolai in 2002, under the alias Alva Noto, for four collaborative albums of minimalist electronica.

Sakamoto was also an environmental activist, opposing nuclear power and founding the forestry project More Trees to facilitate carbon offsetting.

Sakamoto married Akiko Yano, a touring member of YMO and a successful solo artist in her own right, in 1982. They divorced in 2006 after splitting up in 1992. Miu Sakamoto, a pop singer, was their daughter.

Sakamoto has been in a relationship with Norika Sora since the early 1990s. In 2018, their son Neo Sora appeared in the documentary Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda, directed by Stephen Nomura Schible.

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