Coronavirus
Japanese comedian Ken Shimura dies from coronavirus
Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who had been hospitalized after being infected with the new coronavirus has died.
Shimura has become the first Japanese celebrity to die of the virus.
His death, late on Sunday, set off widespread grief among fans.
Shimura, 70, one of Japan’s best-known comedians with a career dating back to the early 1970s, reportedly had lung cancer surgery in 2016. He developed a fever and respiratory problems on March 19 and was hospitalized, media said.
Dominating the television comedy scene in the 1970s and 1980s, one of his best-known acts was a clueless feudal lord with a face painted white with thick black eyebrows.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Comedian Funnybone threatens to sue attendee who showed up at AMVCA sick
Fans took to social media to lament his death, which some said should serve to highlight what a major threat the coronavirus actually is.
“So very sad. It’s probably bad to say this, but I hope his death helps Japanese, who still don’t seem to be taking this virus seriously, start to change their attitude,” one Twitter user wrote.
The government’s top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, echoed that.
“I pray for the repose of his soul but want to say on top of this that we are at a very critical period and need to make every effort to prevent the spread of this disease,” he told a regular news conference.
Japan on Sunday confirmed 68 new cases in Tokyo alone, a record daily increase for the capital, taking the country’s overall tally to more than 1,800 infections, with 55 deaths as of Sunday afternoon, excluding 712 cases and 10 deaths from a cruise ship that was moored near Tokyo last month, NHK said.
-
News19 hours ago
FCCPC shuts popular Abuja supermarket over price irregularities
-
Politics24 hours ago
Court halts Ganduje’s suspension, restores APC membership
-
News20 hours ago
Police reportedly arrest two Fubara loyalists in Abuja
-
News19 hours ago
Kenya military helicopter crash kills defence chief, senior officers
-
News6 hours ago
Enugu govt plans befitting burial for Mr Ibu, Junior Pope
-
News7 hours ago
Kano police arrest suspects for disrupting inauguration of new commissioners
-
News11 hours ago
NSA laments booming illegal firearms market in North
-
News10 hours ago
Why Bobrisky is not in Kirikiri prison – NCoS official