54-year-old Japanese actress Miho Nakayama suddenly passed away last December, leaving many friends and family members heartbroken. On the 22nd, her sister Shinobu Nakayama held a farewell ceremony for her, inviting friends from the industry, collaborators, and fans to pay tribute. Among them, there were as many as 10,000 people who came to lay flowers, which speaks volumes about Miho Nakayama's status in the entertainment industry. In response, Shinobu Nakayama tearfully requested from everyone, "I hope people can continue to listen to her songs, watch her works, and always remember my sister."
Shinobu Nakayama cannot help but cry when thinking of her sister.
Miho Nakayama's farewell ceremony was held on the 22nd at the Tokyo International Forum, decorated with vibrant flowers, and surrounded by 55 dahlias, her favorite, symbolizing the 55th birthday she was to celebrate this year. Many fellow entertainers came to attend, including Kyoko Koizumi, Yuriko Ishida, Junichi Ishida, Takashi Kashiwabara, Shingo Katori, Etsushi Toyokawa, Masatoshi Nagase, Hidetoshi Nishijima, and Norika Fujiwara. Even Shunji Iwai, the director of the film "Love Letter," specially came to bid farewell to the old friend.
Ai Katou and Norika Fujiwara bid farewell to the old friend.
Kyoko Koizumi specifically gave a speech for Miho Nakayama, mentioning how they hit it off the first time they met, calling each other "Miho" and "Kyoko." "She would come to my house to stay overnight; we traveled together, drank, laughed, and spent a lot of happy youthful time together," she said, expressing her sadness while saying goodbye to Miho Nakayama, choking up in the process: "I have to say those words to you. Miho, goodbye. Miho, you really worked hard. Miho, thank you, dear sister. Miho, take care. Miho, I will come to join you, please wait for me."
Shingo Katori (left), Director Shunji Iwai, and Hidetoshi Nishijima look sad.
Shinobu Nakayama couldn’t help but express her feelings seeing so many friends come to mourn: "Ever since I was in my teens and twenties, I thought my sister was really amazing. She was loved by everyone, and Miho Nakayama was truly a great person." Even though more than five months have passed since her sister's death, Shinobu tearfully stated that she still cannot come to terms with it, "I don't want to say goodbye to her just yet; I just want to see her one more time..." Therefore, she also entreated everyone, "I hope people can listen to her songs or watch her works at some point; this is my selfish request as a sister, but I still hope that everyone can always remember my sister."
Miho Nakayama was reportedly found dead at home on December 6 last year, as she hadn’t been in contact despite having work scheduled for the day. It wasn't until her agency staff visited her residence that they discovered she had collapsed in the bathroom bathtub. After investigation, the police confirmed Miho Nakayama's death was accidental, but the detailed circumstances have not been disclosed.
Source: China Times News Network