Miho Nakayama: A Journey From 15, Captured by This Magazine, Surrounded by Actor Friends

Became a top idol with Maido Osawagasemasu

Singer and actress Miho Nakayama passed away on December 6 at the age of 54.

Around noon on the 6th, a representative from her agency who visited Nakayama’s home in Shibuya, Tokyo, called 110 to report that she was found deceased in her bathtub. Her death was confirmed at the scene, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Nakayama entered the entertainment industry in 1982 after being scouted in Harajuku, Tokyo. At the age of 14, in 1985, she gained attention for her role as the rebellious girl Nodoka in the drama “Maido Osawagasemasu” (TBS). That same year, she made her acting debut in the drama “Natsu Taiken Monogatari” (TBS) and debuted as an idol singer with the single “C”, which became the theme song for the drama. She quickly became a top idol, known affectionately as “Miporin.”

In 1995, she swept the Best Actress awards for her role in the film “Love Letter”, and in 1997, she won the Japan Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as the wife of photographer Nobuyoshi Araki in “Tokyo Biyori”. Nakayama was a rare talent who dominated the idol scene in the late ’80s and continued her success as an actress in the ’90s. (Television magazine writer)

In 2002, she married musician and novelist Hitonari Tsuji (65), after which she paused her entertainment activities in Japan and moved to Paris, France. After their divorce in 2014, Nakayama lived a single life in Tokyo. A report on her happy life was published by FRIDAY in the April 29, 2016 issue.

Enjoying time at an izakaya with fellow actors.

On this day, Nakayama-san was performing in the play Magic at the Honda Theater in Shimokitazawa, Setagaya. After the performance, she and her fellow actors visited an oden shop, S, known for its casual atmosphere.

“This place is close to the Honda Theater, so it’s often used for after-show gatherings. The highlight is the Shizuoka-style black broth oden, and while enjoying it, you can listen to soul music—it’s a chaotic atmosphere that’s very Shimokitazawa. Although it’s a casual spot with dishes priced around 100 yen each, it’s surprising to see major actors sitting there casually,” said a theater industry insider.

At midnight, as the shop was closing, the actors emerged and were chatting in the street. Among them were Masato Hagiwara (53) and Masanobu Katsumura (61). After a while, Nakayama-san came down the stairs of the shop, looking in high spirits. Leading the group, she walked confidently as if she were guiding them.

In an interview with Weekly Asahi (January 3-10, 2020), Nakayama-san spoke about her ideal image as an actress:

“When playing a role, beyond technical aspects and passion, I think the most original part of a person is something that naturally comes out. If that’s the case, growing older and gaining experience are all beneficial to acting. Even an 80-year-old woman, just sitting in a sunbeam, can show something. I want that kind of richness. As I grow older, I want to express my own flavor. (snip) Not just through acting, but in my own life, I hope to become someone like that one day.” Having been at the forefront of the entertainment industry since she was 14 in the 1980s, Nakayama-san captivated many fans. We sincerely pray for her soul.