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[All] [Obituary] Akihiro Miwa passes away at 91 due to old age; summary of his last words and representative works.
2026.06.29 09:08
Akihiro Miwa passed away on June 20, 2026, at the age of 91 due to old age. This article summarizes his life, representative works, and details of his death, from his roles in "Yoitomake no Uta" and "Kuro Tokage" to his voice acting in "Princess Mononoke."
[Obituary] Akihiro Miwa passes away at 91 due to old age; summary of his last words and representative works.
table of contents
- Details of the death of Akihiro Miwa
- What kind of person was Akihiro Miwa?
- List of Representative Works | Singing, Stage Performances, Voice Acting
- Yoitomake no Uta and Kohaku Uta Gassen
- A deep connection with Yukio Mishima
- As a Ghibli voice actor | Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
▼ First, gather together everything you want to know.Q. When did Akihiro Miwa pass away?A. She passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026, at 9:30 AM, at the age of 91, due to old age. Q. When was the news of his death announced?A. Office Miwa announced this on its official website on June 28, 2026. Q. What were his last words?A. It has been officially announced that she simply said "Thank you" and quietly closed her eyes. Q. Will there be a farewell party?A. The funeral will be held for close family members only, and there are no plans for a memorial service or gathering. Condolence money and floral tributes have also been declined. |
1. Details of the news of Akihiro Miwa's death.
Akihiro Miwa passed away peacefully at 9:30 a.m. on June 20, 2026, at the age of 91, due to old age. His agency, Office Miwa, announced the news on its official website on June 28 of the same year.
According to official announcements, he had been taking a break from work for the past year due to his advanced age and focusing on recovering his strength. He had been resting at home since his health deteriorated about three months ago, and it has been reported that he quietly closed his eyes after saying only one word of thanks, "Thank you."
The funeral service was held privately with only close family members present, in accordance with the deceased's wishes. There are no plans for a memorial service or gathering, and condolence money and floral tributes have been declined.
| item | Content |
| Date and time of death |
June 20, 2026, 9:30 AM
|
| cause of death | senility |
| old age | 91 years old |
| Official announcement date | June 28, 2026 |
| funeral |
It has already been done with only close relatives present.
|
| Farewell party | No plans |
| Last words | "thank you" |
2. What kind of person was Akihiro Miwa?
Akihiro Miwa was born on May 15, 1935, in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture. His real name is Akihiro Maruyama. He debuted in 1952 as a resident singer at the Ginza chanson café "Ginbari" and continued to be active on the front lines as a singer, actor, voice actor, and director for over 70 years.
Known for her unique aesthetic sense and sharp philosophy of life, she was also a beloved figure on television, often appearing alongside many presenters such as Hiroshi Kume and Yumiko Udo. A truly one-of-a-kind figure, affectionately called "Miwa-san," "Miwa-san," or "Miwa-san" across generations.
3. List of Representative Works | Singing, Stage Performances, Voice Acting
| Genre | Works and roles |
| song |
Yoitomake no Uta (1965), Meke Meke (1957)
|
| stage |
Black Lizard (written by Yukio Mishima, starring role)
|
| voice actor |
Moro in "Princess Mononoke" (1997)
|
| voice actor |
Role of the Witch of the Waste in "Howl's Moving Castle" (2004)
|
| voice actor |
Voice of Arceus in the Pokémon the Movie
|
4. Yoitomake no Uta and Kohaku Uta Gassen
"Yoitomake no Uta" is a song written and composed by Akihiro Miwa himself, and has been a beloved Japanese classic since its hit in 1965. The lyrics, which depict the bond between a parent and child living diligently despite poverty, have touched the hearts of many across generations.
Miwa made her first appearance on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen at the age of 77. This was the oldest debut appearance in history and also the longest-running record, coming 61 years after her debut. At that Kohaku, she performed "Yoitomake no Uta" in its full version, which lasted approximately 6 minutes.
The person in charge of introducing the song at that time was Takuya Kimura of SMAP. Kimura introduced the worldview of the song, which is themed on the bond between parent and child living through the turbulent times before, during, and after the war, not just by memorizing it, but by speaking it as if it were "his own words," and Miwa later said that she was deeply moved by his performance.
5. A deep connection with Yukio Mishima
The relationship between Akihiro Miwa and Yukio Mishima is one of the most noteworthy exchanges in Japanese cultural history. Mishima was deeply drawn to Miwa, and even took on a minor role with no lines in the play "Black Lizard" in order to have a scene with Miwa.
"Black Lizard" is a stage production of Yukio Mishima's play starring Akira Miwa, and it was a signature role for Miwa, leading to many revivals over the years. The 2013 and 2015 revivals are considered the "definitive versions."
6. As a Ghibli voice actor | Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle
Akihiro Miwa also made a strong impression in Studio Ghibli films.
In Hayao Miyazaki's 1997 film "Princess Mononoke," the wolf god... Lord Moro He played the role. His line, "Shut up, kid!" is so famous that it's known as a memorable and impressive performance that trends on social media every time it's broadcast on television.
In "Howl's Moving Castle," released in 2004... Witch of the Wasteland He is in charge of this role. His dignified performance adds depth to the character and is highly regarded among Ghibli fans.
| the work | Role Name | Release year |
| Princess Mononoke | Lord Moro | 1997 |
| Howl's Moving Castle | Witch of the Wasteland | 2004 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What was the cause of death of Akihiro Miwa?
The cause of death was old age. She passed away peacefully at home on June 20, 2026, at the age of 91, while recuperating. It is said that her health had been declining for about three months prior to this.
Q2. What role did Akihiro Miwa play in "Princess Mononoke"?
She played the role of Moro, the god of the mountain dogs. Her line, "Shut up, boy!" is particularly famous and becomes a topic of conversation every time it airs.
Q3. When did Akihiro Miwa sing "Yoitomake no Uta" on Kohaku Uta Gassen?
She made her first appearance on Kohaku Uta Gassen at the age of 77, performing the song. Her first appearance in her 61st year since her debut, and at the age of 77, were both the oldest records at the time.
Q4. Will there be a memorial service for Akihiro Miwa?
No, there isn't. The funeral has already been held with only close relatives in attendance, and it has been officially announced that there are no plans for a memorial service or gathering.
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