Oscar-winner dies at 71, triggering an outpouring of grief worldwide as fans flood his social media page with messages of condolences.
Oscar-winning Japanese composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto has died at the age of 71, driving a massive outpouring of grief worldwide, especially in Hong Kong where he would have performed in 2020 if not for the pandemic and his health. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of artist and musician, Ryuichi Sakamoto, on March 28, 2023,” his management company said in a statement on Sunday. “He lived with music until the very end.” The team said Sakamato had been undergoing treatment for cancer since June 2020, and despite the hardship, the musician continued to create works in his home studio whenever his health would allow. A funeral service was held among close family members, according to the statement. His company indicated it was unable to accept any calls of condolences, offerings of incense or flowers. “We would like to share one of Sakamoto’s favourite quotes: ‘Ars longa, vita brevis.’ Art is long, life is short,” it said. Fans around the world were shocked by news of Sakamoto’s death as they flooded the musician’s Instagram page with messages of condolences, while Hong Kong supporters expressed regret they had missed their final chance to see him in person. In April 2020, Sakamoto was supposed to come to Hong Kong to showcase his unique brand of electronic music performance, titled dis·play, at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The Hongkongers who appear on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s new album The show was to be his first visit to the city in over a decade, but was postponed to September that year due to the emerging Covid-19 pandemic. As the health crisis worsened and with all tickets sold out, the show was again rescheduled to 2021.
