Utada Mother Apparent Suicide

Japanese media are calling the death a suicide, though no note was found. Police say that Fuji, 62, was found on the ground outside of her apartment building in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Her slippers were on the balcony of her apartment near the railing. Fuji shared the residence with a person the media are calling a “male friend” in his 30s, who told the police he was sleeping at the time Fuji apparently fell or jumped.

Fuji made her debut in 1969, and won the Mass Popularity prize at the Japan Record Awards in 1970. She sang what is now referred to as enka (Japanese balladry) in a low, smokey voice, and was famous for never smiling. Some of her hits were enormous and many considered her technical command as a vocalist second to none.

Her childhood was impoverished. Both her parents were musicians, her mother a blind samisen player, and she spent much of her childhood on the road.

In a message posted on her home page, Hikaru said, “I am proud to be the daughter of my mother. I have nothing but gratitude for everything she did for me.” She also referred to her mother’s mental illness. “She is finally freed from her agony, but the way she ended her life was beyond sad.”