Death of Miho Nakayama, Star of Japanese Film 'Love Letter'

Love Letter Poster

Miho Nakayama, Star of <Love Letter>, Passes Away... A Great Star of Japanese Cinema is Lost

Miho Nakayama, the lead actress of the Japanese film <Love Letter>, a representative work of winter's sentimentality, has suddenly passed away at the age of 54. The news of her death has shocked fans and the Japanese film industry alike.

A scene from Love Letter / Source: youtube

Miho Nakayama Found Dead in Her Home Bathroom

According to multiple Japanese media reports, Miho Nakayama was found dead in the bathroom of her home in Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Around noon on the 6th, her business associate, noticing her absence from a scheduled appointment, visited her home and found her collapsed in the bathroom, subsequently reporting it to the police.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating the exact cause of her death. It has been reported that no signs of forced entry or other criminal suspicions were found at the scene.

Source: Miho Nakayama SNS

Miho Nakayama, Star of <Love Letter>

Miho Nakayama gained worldwide recognition for her leading role in the film <Love Letter>. Released in 1999, <Love Letter> was the first Japanese film to surpass 1 million viewers, establishing itself as a classic winter film. The line "Ogenki desu ka?" (How are you?) from the film left a lasting impression on Korean audiences, cementing her status as a winter icon.

The film <Love Letter> is scheduled for a 30th-anniversary theatrical re-release in Korea on January 1st, making the news of her sudden death all the more heartbreaking.

Love Letter Still Cut

Mourning from Fans and the Film Industry

The news of Miho Nakayama's passing has been a great shock to the Japanese film industry and her fans. Japanese film fans have expressed their condolences, with comments such as, "Her acting always reminded me of winter," and, ""Love Letter" was my favorite movie; this is so sad."

Director Shunji Iwai, who directed <Love Letter>, and other members of the Japanese film industry have expressed their deep condolences and their intention to honor her legacy and contributions.

Her Works and Memories

Besides <Love Letter>, Miho Nakayama appeared in numerous Japanese films and dramas, receiving recognition for her acting skills. Her delicate performances had the power to move the audience deeply.

Fans have expressed their intention to honor her achievements, stating, "The memories created by her films will not be forgotten," and, "This re-release will be a special time to remember her."

Remembering Miho Nakayama

Her masterpiece, <Love Letter>, is scheduled for re-release on New Year's Day, giving fans another chance to witness her performance. Miho Nakayama's films will evoke memories of winter and remain in our hearts forever.

Miho Nakayama's Main Filmography is as follows:

Films

• 1985: "Bebop Highschool"
• 1991: "As Many Times as the Waves"
• 1995: "Love Letter"
• 2010: "Sayonara Itsuka"
• 2013: "I Need to Buy New Shoes"
• 2018: "Butterfly Dream" - Ryoho role
• 2018: "Marmalade Boy" - Chiyako role
• 2019: "Love Song -Promise of Nakuhiito-" - Saeko Hashino role
• 2019: "108: Kaiha Goro's Revenge and Adventure" - Ayako Kaiha role
• 2020: "Last Letter" - Sakae role

Dramas

• 1987: "Mama is an Idol"
• 1990: "Graduation" - Kaori Kinoshita role
• 1996: "Delicious Relationship" - Momoe Fujiwara role
• 1998: "Sleeping Forest"
• 2000: "Love Story of 2000"
• 2001: "Love Story"
• 2014: "Platonic"
• 2021: "The High School Heroes" - Ruriko Manaka role
• 2022: "Magic Renobe" - Machi Nishizaki role

Since her debut in 1985, Miho Nakayama has been actively involved in the Japanese entertainment industry, appearing in numerous films and dramas. She gained significant popularity both domestically and internationally for her role in the 1995 film "Love Letter," and continued to work steadily until recently.