Ruriko Kojima Shocked by Husband’s Sudden Death Calls for Someone’s Support

“There is nothing more tragic than this.”

A tragedy struck talent Ruriko Kojima (31).

On the afternoon of February 4, Kojima returned to her apartment in Minato Ward, Tokyo, with her 1-year-old child, only to find her husband, who ran a company, collapsed. He was later confirmed dead at the hospital he was taken to. Kojima also began feeling unwell and was transported to the hospital but was found to have only minor injuries and was unharmed. She was later questioned by the local police station.

The statement at the beginning was made by a representative from her former agency, Horipro.

Akira Ikegami also likes Kojima.

Kojima entered the entertainment industry in 2009 after winning the Grand Prix at the Horipro Talent Scout Caravan. She gained prominence not only in variety shows but also in election programs hosted by freelance announcer Akira Ikegami, earning the nickname “Kojiriri Musou” (Kojiriri Unstoppable). According to a television insider who remembers her from that time:

“Ikegami-san quickly warmed to Kojima-san because she was quick-witted and excelled at reading the room. While Rino Sashihara is also mentioned as a similar type, Sashihara herself admitted, ‘I can’t beat Kojiriri.'”

However, the winds began to turn against Kojima around 2020. Her relationship with 19 years older Kingdom manga creator Yasuhisa Hara was reported, and her previously high public favorability sharply declined. Kojima scaled back her activities in Japan and shifted her focus to China. In 2023, she announced plans to study abroad at a Chinese university. She also left Horipro, the agency she had been with for many years, in February of the same year.

“This was her own decision, as she felt ‘activities in Japan are tough.’ She had been interested in China for some time and would study Chinese in her spare time,” said someone who knows Kojima well.

In her personal life, she married Kōta Kitamura, the CEO of a startup company involved in the production of hot spring facilities, in the spring of 2023. She was also blessed with a child.

 

Kojima temporarily abandoned her plans to study abroad in China

“Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the worsening relations between Japan and China, her planned study abroad in China was postponed. During that time, she found out she was pregnant and became a mother. While she had to temporarily abandon her plans for studying in China, she was blessed with an irreplaceable child. It was impressive to hear Kojima herself tell those around her, ‘This was for the best,’ with a happy smile,” said someone who knows her well.

Amid all this, a tragedy struck.

Her husband’s company faced serious financial difficulties.

“There were rumors that he had been struggling mentally recently,” said an entertainment industry insider, though the cause of his sudden death remains unclear at this point.

More than that, there is growing concern for Kojima, who became the first person to discover her husband’s lifeless body. The aforementioned industry insider shared:

“She absolutely needs someone to support her. I think it’s up to her former agency, Horipro, to take the lead in this situation. There were rumors of misunderstandings when she left the agency, but this is not the time for such talk. Horipro is famous for its strong family bonds. Even Akiko Wada, who is known as the agency’s ‘God-sister,’ seems to be worried about her.”

In addition, many entertainers, including Rino Sashihara, with whom Kojima used to host private hotpot parties, as well as Hiheels’ Momoko, Mitsu Mangrove, and former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano, have expressed concern for Kojima.

“Considering her young child, it’s heartbreaking. Even the online critics have been silenced this time. Kojima had no involvement with her husband’s company, and she wasn’t fully aware of the financial difficulties. It was a bolt from the blue. It’s understandable that she’s in shock,” said a person who knows Kojima well.

All we can do now is patiently wait for the day when Kojima recovers both physically and mentally.