The Japanese entertainment industry has been roiled this past year by several high-profile deaths. Fans worldwide were equally shocked when we received the news this weekend that we have lost yet another talented entertainer in Takeuchi Yuko (竹内結子).
Content warning: This article discusses suicide. Please proceed with caution. If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out.
United States Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
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Japan (Japanese):
Consultation Line – 0570-064-556
Lifeline – 0570-783-556 (10am-10pm JST)
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A Decorated Talent
Takeuchi Yuko, 40, was found in her home this weekend. While an investigation is continuing, initial reports indicate that the actress died by suicide.
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A native of Saitama Prefecture, Takeuchi made her acting debut in 1996 at the age of 16. In 2003, she won a Japan Academy Award for her turn in the movie Yomigaeri (黄泉がえり). Movie studio Toho promoted her at the time with a poster plastered with the slogan, 泣きたい夜には、竹内結子 (Takeuchi Yuko: For Those Nights You Want to Cry). Takeuchi would go on to win consecutive awards for her work over the next couple of years.
Many fans of Japanese drama likely remember Takeuchi most from her recent turn in the Hulu/HBO Asia-produced drama Miss Sherlock, in which Takeuchi played a female version of the titular detective. (If you’ve never seen it, you can catch it with English subtitles on Amazon, or on Hulu with the HBO Max add-on.) Takeuchi’s performance as Sherlock was a breathtaking tour de force that captivated audiences both in Japan and around the world.

Takeuchi leaves behind her husband and two children. Her second child was just born in January; Takeuchi had just started to return to work. In an interview with women’s magazine LEE published on the 7th, Takeuchi confided that she “couldn’t sleep” and that she was finding child-rearing “difficult.” Her comments have led to discussion on Japanese Twitter on whether the country is doing enough to support mothers who may be suffering from post-partum depression.
Colleagues and the Public React
Actor Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, who starred alongside Takeuchi in the breakaway hit movie Yomigaeri, told reporters during a news conference for his new movie: “It still hasn’t hit me. As someone I’ve starred alongside in large productions, she’s always with me in my heart. I’m grieving.”
On popular morning talk show Sukkiri!, Ozawa Yukiyoshi (小澤征悦), who starred alongside Takeuchi as Sherlock’s brother on Miss Sherlock, recounted how Takeuchi, as Sherlock, had to play the cello in several scenes. Takeuchi didn’t know how to play, Ozawa recalls, but threw herself into studying and practicing until she could look convincing on-screen. Ozawa broke up several times during his story as he recounted how Takeuchi always called him oniisan (big brother) on set.

Fans, meanwhile, took to Twitter to reminisce over their favorite Takeuchi vehicles. Besides the shows already mentioned, many called out the 2002 love comedy Queen of Lunch (ランチの女王) as one of the highlights of Takeuchi’s illustrious career.
A String of Losses
Takeuchi is the latest celebrity in recent months lost to suicide. Perhaps the most notable case is Kimura Hana, the female pro wrestler and Terrace House star who committed suicide after suffering a torrent of online abuse.
Actor Miura Haruma (三浦春馬), who starred in various movies and dramas such as Last Cinderella, passed away in July. (Takeuchi and Miura were friends and worked together on the movie series Confidence Man.) Just two weeks ago, on September 14th, the world also lost actress Ashina Sei (芦名星), who starred in Yae no Sakura, Aibou, and, most recently, Teseusu no Fune.
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"Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget." - Kate and Simon S., Australia


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The Coronavirus and the Mental Health Toll on Women
Obviously, it’s irresponsible to speculate on the cause of any individual’s death without evidence. However, there is increasing general evidence that the coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on people’s mental health.
That burden is being felt particularly sharply by women. As Time recently reported, a study by CARE showed women suffering the mental health effects of the pandemic as much as three times more than men.
This effect has been observed in other countries – including Japan. Recent suicide figures from Japan showed the number of lives lost had risen by 246 – the first rise after years of steady improvement. While suicide usually claims more men, a full 180 of the new cases were women.
The cases of Miura, Ashina, and Takeuchi are each unique. But they paint a picture of a disturbing trend: a mental health pandemic as serious as the physical pandemic caused by COVID-19.
If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out.
United States Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Japan (international community): https://telljp.com/
Japan (Japanese):
Consultation Line – 0570-064-556
Lifeline – 0570-783-556 (10am-10pm JST)
LINE – add 「生きづらびっと」to your Friends list