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'Railroad Man' actor Ken Takakura dies at 83
Scene from Poppoya (1999) / Courtesy of YouTube
By Ko Dong-hwan
Ken Takakura / Yonhap
Renowned Japanese actor Ken Takakura has died at the age of 83, Japanese media reported this week.
Born Goichi Oda from the city of Nakama, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1931, the seasoned actor reportedly died of critical lymphoma in a Tokyo hospital at around 3 a.m. on Oct. 10.
Best known in Korea for his roles in the 1999 film “Poppoya (Railroad Man)” and 2001’s “Hotaru,” the late actor received the Order of Culture in 2013, Person of Cultural Merit in 2006, and other awards for his career spanning over 205 films.
He also received accolades for his most recent film, the award-winning “Dearest” (2012).
Takakura’s death was significant enough that the Chinese government delivered a condolence statement via foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Tuesday.
Quoted by a local vernacular, Lei said “The late Sir Takakura, widely known across China, has been magnanimous in actively promoting cultural trades between the two nations.” The statement came despite the two country’s chilly diplomatic ties.