"Smile Until the End" Yurina Nakamura Passes Away After Battling Rectal Cancer.. Tears in Japanese Entertainment Industry [★Japan]

*This content was translated by AI.

As actress Yurina Nakamura passed away at the age of 44, tributes continue to pour in from Japan's entertainment industry.

Nakamura's agency, Alpha Agency, announced on the 14th through an official statement that "Yurina Nakamura peacefully passed away on September 1 due to rectal cancer." The funeral was already held with close family members, fellow actors from the agency, and staff in attendance.

According to her agency, Nakamura had battled cancer 13 years ago but received a remission diagnosis and continued her acting career. However, cancer was detected again in January last year, and metastasis was confirmed after surgery. Despite facing a situation where cure and remission were difficult to achieve, she persisted with treatment while continuing her work.

In August this year, she developed intestinal obstruction again while preparing for her return and received a sudden diagnosis that her remaining time was very limited. The agency stated, "She spent her final moments with family and close ones without losing her beautiful and affectionate smile until the end."

Following the news of her passing, actors and directors who had worked with Nakamura in her lifetime offered successive tributes.

Ryohei Suzuki, who played a married couple with Yurina Nakamura in the 2014 NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne," expressed his sorrow, saying, "I am still struggling to come to terms with this sudden loss." Having first met her at an acting school about 20 years ago, he recalled the late actress as "a strong yet gentle person with self-esteem and beauty, truly like a lily."

Juri Ueno also reminisced about their collaboration in the 2018 drama "Good Doctor." She said, "What left a lasting impression was her always smiling without hesitation and speaking in Kansai dialect. I wanted to act together again. It is truly heartbreaking," as she mourned.

Shunji Iwai, director of the film "The Bride of Rip Van Winkle," expressed shock over Nakamura's passing, saying, "Yurina Nakamura, I can't believe it." Recalling her wedding dress scene in the film, he added, "She was truly beautiful. It is still hard for me to accept this reality," as he paid tribute.

Meanwhile, Yurina Nakamura debuted in 1998 as part of the duo YURIMARI before transitioning to acting. She appeared in numerous works including films such as "Punch! LOVE&PEACE" and "And Becoming a Father," and dramas like "Detective's Detective," "Kurosagi," and "Romantic Anonymous." In July this year, she withdrew from the NHK drama "Dangerous," scheduled to air in January 2027, due to intestinal obstruction.

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*This content was translated by AI.