Culture

Oscar-winning Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto dies aged 71, as Hong Kong fans grieve over missed chance to see him perform live

  • 03. Apr 2023. 8:07
  • By The EU Times
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Oscar-winning Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has died aged 71, leaving Hong Kong fans mourning the missed chance to see him perform live.

The news was confirmed by Sakamoto's long-time record label, Commmons, in a statement on Twitter. Sakamoto had been battling throat cancer since 2014 and his death was attributed to “multiple causes”.

Sakamoto, who won an Academy Award for his score for the 1987 film The Last Emperor, was best known for his fusion of traditional Japanese music with Western electronica and pop.

His work in films, such as The Revenant, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and The Sheltering Sky, established him as one of the most influential film composers of his era.

In Hong Kong, Sakamoto was highly revered for his work, which often featured elements of traditional Chinese music. He was due to perform in the city in 2019, but had to cancel due to his ill health.

Fans of Sakamoto have been sharing tributes to the composer on social media, expressing their sadness at his passing and their regret at missing the chance to see him perform.

Sakamoto is survived by his wife, two children and a grandchild. His legacy will live on through his work and his influence on the world of music.