A Year of Remembrance: Heartfelt Memories of Miho Nakayama from Risa Tachibana and Eriko Kitagawa

Gentle Memories

It has been almost a year since that day that wrapped all of Japan in grief.

On December 6, 2024, actress and singer Miho Nakayama passed away at her home in Tokyo. The tragedy occurred just before she was scheduled to depart for a concert in Osaka. She was only 54 years old—a death far too soon.

Nakayama made her acting debut in 1985 in the hit comedy drama Maido Osawagase Shimasu (TBS), playing a rebellious high school girl, which quickly propelled her to stardom. That same year, she released the single “C,” marking the start of her career as a singer.

Risa Tachibana (54), an actress who played the heroine in the third series of Maido Osawagase Shimasu, recalls Nakayama’s gentle smile.

“Miho-san was always very considerate of those around her. When we appeared together on a music show during our idol days, I had rushed into the studio in a panic and had left my clothes scattered in the dressing room. To my surprise, Miho-san, being the senior, carefully folded the clothes and even hid my underwear in a less visible spot.

Later, in the 1987 New Year special of Maido Osawagase Shimasu, when I kept messing up due to nerves, she kindly reassured me, saying, ‘It’s okay, don’t worry!’”

Tachibana, who is one year younger than Nakayama and had known her since her debut, was deeply shocked upon hearing the news.

“At first, I couldn’t believe it. But that same day, nostalgic footage of Miho-san from her lifetime aired on the news, and I couldn’t stop crying. I wish I could have talked more, sung together more.”

Etsuko Kitagawa (63), the screenwriter for Nakayama’s 2001 drama Love Story (TBS) and 2012 film Atarashii Kutsu wo Kawanakucha, shared, “Not many people know this, but Miho-chan was very devoted to her family.”

“The biggest challenge when offering Miho-chan roles was balancing her wish to prioritize time with her family. When we filmed Atarashii Kutsu wo Kawanakucha, her children were still young, and she was dedicated to raising them. She feared that filming would take time away from her family.

Though she might be seen as a woman who lived for romance, in reality, she cherished her family deeply. Miho-chan even got along well with my daughter. When I took my daughter, who was about in third grade, to Paris, Miho-chan lifted my excited daughter in front of the Eiffel Tower and kissed her on the cheek. That is such a wonderful memory.”

Read the second part here: [Miho Nakayama (aged 54) — Mayo Okamoto and Unexpected Friends Speak About Her “Unadorned True Self”]

 

From the December 12, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”