Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentThe death of Japanese actress Takeuchi Yuko by an apparent suicide on Sunday has prompted an outpouring of grief and reflection from both ordinary fans and industry insiders.Age 40 at the time of her death, Takeuchi had been the top of her profession for two decades, appearing in a steady stream of films, TV dramas and, that all-important barometer of popularity in the local entertainment world, TV commercials.
The latest in a procession of prominent Japanese talents to take their own lives, including actor Miura Haruma and actress Ashina Sei, Takeuchi was arguably the biggest name and her death is causing the biggest shock waves.After rising to stardom in the 1999 NHK morning drama “Asuka” as a teenager,.
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