On April 18, actor Charlie Hama (Nishioka Masao) of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki died at a hospital in Osaka due to respiratory failure and pneumonia. He was 78 years old.

Charlie Hama joined Yoshimoto Shinkigeki in 1962. In addition to Shinkigeki, he had starred in numerous TV CMs and stage plays. His joke "...jaa~rimasenka" won the 'New Words and Buzzwords Awards' in 1991, and he won the gold prize at the 'Upward Comedy Award' in 1992. 

Yoshimoto Kogyo commented, "We humbly announce this with gratefulness for everyone's kindness during his lifetime." His funeral has already been held with close relatives.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Charlie Hama's family and friends at this time.