Japanese actress and singer Azusa Kishimoto dies of cancer at 39

By Phong Ngo   March 11, 2025 | 01:33 am PT
Japanese actress, singer, and TV personality Azusa Kishimoto has passed away at the age of 39 due to cancer, her management company Oscar Promotion announced.

Kishimoto's agency confirmed on March 7 that she died on Feb. 24, according to Yahoo Life.

"The wake and funeral have already been held. We ask that all members of the press please be considerate of the family's deep grief and refrain from interviewing anyone involved," the company stated.

"We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those involved, and we take this opportunity to inform you of her passing.

"We would like for you to join us in praying for the peace of her soul."

Her final social media update showed her taking her son and family to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka last October.

Despite her worsening condition, she made the trip because she "wanted to leave her son with beautiful final memories," her representative said.

Japanese actress, singer and TV personality Azusa Kishimoto. Photo from Facebook

Japanese actress, singer and TV personality Azusa Kishimoto. Photo from Facebook

Her passing has led to an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans.

The Japanese news program "Zoom In!!," where she worked as a reporter, posted a tribute quoted by news outlet TV Report: "Az (her nickname on the program), thank you for showing us so many smiling faces."

"Azusa Kishimoto, rest in peace."

Kishimoto debuted in 2000 as part of the three-member girl group "Angelique".

After the group disbanded, she transitioned into television, reporting for "Zoom In!! Super" and "Zoom In!! Saturday," and later became a TV host from 2007 to 2012.

Kishimoto married a non-showbiz professional in 2011, and they have three children together.

 
 
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