Tsunaki Mihara, legendary guitarist and music industry veteran, passes away at 80 after long battle with kidney cancer

Tsunaki Mihara, renowned guitarist of the iconic Japanese band Jackie Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets, died on the morning of November 11th due to complications from kidney cancer.

Local media outlet Oricon reported on November 15th that Sakamoto Entertainment, Mihara's agency, had officially confirmed his passing.

The agency stated that Mihara had been undergoing treatment prior to his death. Respecting his wishes, a private family funeral was held, with plans for a public memorial service to be announced at a later date.

Born in 1945, Mihara picked up the guitar at an early age and joined Jackie Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets in 1963 as both guitarist and vocalist. The band quickly rose to prominence as one of the leading acts of Japan's Group Sounds movement.

Jackie Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets reached the pinnacle of their success in 1967 when their hit single "Blue Chateau" won the Grand Prize at the 9th Japan Record Awards. Mihara's guitar work was integral to the band's sound, and he also lent his talents as a session musician, notably playing on Hibari Misora's classic track "Makana Taiyo."

After departing the band in 1972, Mihara formed the duo Tsunaki & Midori with singer Midori Tashiro. In 1976, he established the Tsunaki Band, which he led for eight years as a sought-after backing group.

Mihara's career evolved in the mid-1980s as he took on the roles of bandmaster and conductor, fronting Tsunaki Mihara and The New Breed.

In 2001, Mihara came full circle, rejoining the reformed Jackie Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets, where he continued to perform until January 2020. His passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the Japanese music industry, honoring his remarkable 50-year career that spanned group performances, session work, arranging, and conducting.