Music master Ryuichi Sakamoto has died in a Tokyo hospital at the age of 71, after battling cancer for several years. The Japanese composer passed away on March 28 and is famous for his film soundtracks, which are celebrated in Taiwan for their connections to the country’s film industry.
Sakamoto won the Best Soundtrack Award at the 21st Taipei Film Awards for the soundtrack of Tsai Ming-liang's (蔡明亮) 2019 film, “Your Face.” He also produced the soundtrack for the Taiwan-Japan co-production “Paradise Next” in the same year. In 2022, Sakamoto won the Best Soundtrack Award at the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards for the soundtrack of the Hong Kong film "Love After Love," directed by Ann Hui (許鞍華).
Director Tsai has expressed his shock and sadness at the loss of Sakamoto on Facebook. “Your Face” actor Li Kangsheng also said, "You have worked hard, my most beloved music master Mr. Sakamoto. Have a good journey."