Reality show ‘Bachelor Japan’ star Maria Hamasaki dies in apparent suicide

Maria Hamasaki, a 23-year-old contestant on The Bachelor Japan reality show, died in a suspected suicide earlier this week, sources close to the matter said on Saturday.

Her death on Wednesday was announced by Japanese video streaming website operator AbemaTV Inc., which produces the reality programme Ikinari (Sudden) Marriage featuring Hamasaki among the cast.

The company said it will suspend the production and distribution of the show following her death.

Police do not suspect any foul play, according to the sources.

“We, the staff, offer our sincere condolences,” the streaming service said in a statement.

Ikinari Marriage follows a man and a woman who have been paired up and have to live 30 days together as a couple following a wedding. Season 4 of the programme, which features Hamasaki, had been available for streaming since August 1.

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She had also been a contestant on Season 3 of The Bachelor Japan – a Japanese adaptation of the popular American dating reality series The Bachelor, which features a group of women who compete to win over a bachelor.

According to her website, Hamasaki ran a business to deliver South Korean cosmetic items and also worked as a model.

Her death follows that of Hana Kimura, a 22-year-old female professional wrestler and cast member of the popular Japanese reality show series Terrace House, who committed suicide after receiving a barrage of hateful messages on social media.

If you, or someone you know, are having suicidal thoughts, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.