Japanese actress and singer Miho Nakayama has died. She was 54.

Nakayama was found dead in her Tokyo home on Friday, her agency said. She was “shocked and saddened” and demanded that her family be given privacy.

She was scheduled to perform at a Christmas concert in Osaka later that day; However, their official website announced the cancellation of the event, citing health concerns.

Nakayama, known for her starring role in the 1995 film love letter, was found in the bathtub by an acquaintance after the entertainer failed to show up for work, Japanese media reports.

Paramedics confirmed her death at the scene. The cause of death is currently under investigation.

She leaves behind a son who is currently in the care of her former husband, musician Hitonari Tsuji. The couple married in 2002, a year before their son was born, and divorced in 2014.

She is also survived by her younger sister – actress Shinobu Nakayama – and her younger brother.

Nakayama made her acting debut with the television drama in 1985 Maido Osawagase Shimasu and was equally celebrated for her hits during the J-pop boom of the 1980s and 1990s, among others Sekaiju no Dare Yori Kitto (Certainly more than anyone else in the world) and Tada Nakitaku Naruno (I just want to cry).

“HELL AND BACK… IT WAS WONDERFUL”

For her Love letter For her performance, Nakayama won Best Actress at the 38th Blue Ribbon Awards, the 17th Yokohama Film Festival and the 18th Hochi Film Awards.

She was also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1998 for her role in The Japanese Academy Award Tokyo Biyori.

In 2021 she appeared on stage in an adaptation of Aoi no Ue/Yorobosh at The Globe Tokyo. She starred alongside her popular fellow Japanese actor Yuta Jinguji.

In 2002, Nakayama took a break from acting and moved to Paris. She then returned to the film industry in 2010.

The day before her death, Nakayama posted an image of an artwork by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, whose works are on display at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. The embroidery read: “I’ve been to hell and back. And let me tell you, it was wonderful.”

Nakayama captioned it, “For a few days my heart was so overwhelmed that I could only talk to the friend I was with.”

Under this latest post, fans have expressed their shock and sadness over her death.

“I don’t want to believe it,” said one fan. “There is no one better than you. I love you so much. Thanks. Thank you,” said another.