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Posted by ustar TH STAFF Thursday, August 22, 2013

Enka singer Fuji Keiko passes away of apparent suicide

TH STAFF
Fuji Keiko

On August 22 around 7:00 am, enka singer Fuji Keiko (real name: Abe Junko / 62) was found on the ground facing upward in front of an apartment in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. 


According to the Shinjuku police, passersby saw a woman falling from the apartment and reported it to 110. Fuji was found bleeding and in cardiopulmonary arrest. She was transported to the hospital, where she soon passed away. The identity of the body was confirmed by her ex-husband. 


Fuji's acquaintance, a man in his thirties, lives on the 13th floor of the apartment. When the police visited his room, he was sleeping and allegedly did not notice that Fuji was gone. The police are currently investigating an apparent suicide after finding one side of her slippers on the balcony.



Fuji was born in Iwate and raised in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. Her father was a rokyoku singer and her mother a blind shamisen player. She gained popularity with her husky voice during the 1960s and '70s. 


After making her debut with "Shinjuku no Onna" at the age of 17, she released hit songs one after another and rose to stardom. She has won the "mass popularity award" at the Japan Record Award and has appeared on the 'Kohaku Uta Gassen'. 


Fuji married enka singer Maekawa Kiyoshi in 1971, but divorced the following year. After announcing her retirement in 1979, she moved to the United States. Fuji then married record producer Utada Teruzane in 1982, and gave birth to their daughter Utada Hikaru the following year. 


Our condolences to go out to her loved ones. 


Sources: Sponichi, Sanspo
Thanks to JTM and sky for the tip! 

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