Japan arrests popular theatre star Ennosuke Ichikawa on suspicion of aiding mother’s suicide
- Ennosuke Ichikawa, 47 – one of Japan’s best-known kabuki actors – was discovered collapsed at his home last month
- He told officers his family had ‘discussed dying and being reborn’. His mother and father were found unconscious the same day and later died
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TV footage showed a car apparently taking Ennosuke Ichikawa from a hospital to a police station as public broadcaster NHK and other outlets reported his arrest, citing police sources.
But Tokyo police could not immediately confirm the arrest of Ichikawa, 47, a star of the classical form of theatre who has performed in London, Amsterdam and at the Paris Opera House.
In May, rescuers found Ichikawa’s 76-year-old father – also a kabuki actor – and his 75-year-old mother unconscious at his home in the capital.
Both were later confirmed dead, and police are also investigating his father’s death, the reports said.
The suspect told officers that the family “discussed dying and being reborn” and that his parents had taken sleeping pills, according to NHK.
An apparent suicide note written by Ichikawa was also reportedly found inside his home.
Popular Japan actor Ennosuke Ichikawa found collapsed at home, parents dead
Ichikawa, whose real name is Takahiko Kinoshi, made his kabuki debut in 1980 and went on to become one of the country’s most renowned performers.
He was once nominated for a Laurence Olivier award for dance performance, according to his website.
