Ryuichi Sakamoto

Ryuichi Sakamoto, born on January 17, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan and passed away on March 28, 2023, in Tokyo, was a Japanese musician, composer, and actor. He studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in composition and a Master's degree focusing on electronic and ethnic music. Sakamoto began his career in the mid-1970s, working as a composer, arranger, and producer with some of Japan's leading rock, jazz, and classical artists. He released his first solo album in 1978 but gained fame as a member of the Japanese synth-rock group Yellow Magic Orchestra with co-founders Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi. He collaborated with David Sylvian on several singles and many of Sylvian's albums. Sakamoto appeared in the 1983 Nagisa Oshima film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" alongside British rock singer David Bowie and composed the film's score. He won the Academy Award for his score for the 1987 Bernardo Bertolucci film "The Last Emperor." Additionally, he composed soundtracks for Pedro Almodóvar's film "High Heels" and Oliver Stone's "Wild Palms." Sakamoto was married to Japanese pianist and singer Akiko Yano, collaborating with her on several of her recordings. He was also a noted critic of copyright law, considering it outdated in the information age.

Father of Miu Sakamoto, also known as Sister M.