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Prolific Japanese composer, musician Ryuichi Sakamoto dead at 71

Domenico Stinellis/AP

FILE - Maestro Ryuichi Sakamoto performs at Rome's Auditorium, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Japan's recording company Avex says Sakamoto, a musician who scored for Hollywood movies such as “The Last Emperor” and “The Revenant,” has died. He was 71. He died March 28, according to the statement released Sunday, April 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, File)

By: Sean Newgent

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Academy Award-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has died at the age of 71.

Before working in film, Sakamoto was one part of the seminal electronic band Yellow Magic Orchestra with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi. Together they became pioneers of technopop in Japan, with their album "Solid State Survivor" even making an impact on Michael Jackson, who would sample it for his song "Behind the Mask" (which was released posthumously).

Through the '80s, the band would occasionally release albums as each member went on to successful solo careers. Sakamoto in particular would garner world acclaim for his acting and work on the soundtrack in the film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence".

Sakamoto would also win an Oscar for his work on the soundtrack for "The Last Emperor".

While focused on his music throughout his life he was also an activist, notably against political issues in Japan, as well as nuclear power following the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant in 2011.

Ryuichi Sakamoto battled multiple cancers through his final years, passing away while undergoing treatment on March 28.

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Sean Newgent has been with KGUN9 since January of 2020 and is Good Morning Tucson's executive producer. He graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in broadcast journalism. He is a critic and cultural commentator. Share your story ideas and important issues with Sean by emailing sean.newgent@kgun9.com.

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