Singer Hikaru Utada on Monday commented for the first time on her mother's apparent suicide last week.
In a statement posted on her official website, Utada, 30, said: "I am proud to be the daughter of my mother. I have nothing but gratitude for everything she did for me."
Utada's mother, Keiko Fuji, a former well-known enka singer, apparently jumped to her death from a 13th-floor apartment in Tokyo last Thursday. According to police, Fuji, 62, wearing a T-shirt and short pants, was found lying on the grounds of her apartment building in Shinjuku Ward at around 7 a.m. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police said Fuji lived in the apartment with a male friend in his 30s who was asleep at the time of the incident. Her slippers were found near the railing on the balcony, police said, but that no suicide note was found.
Utada said her mother had been suffering from mental illness for many years. "She is finally freed from her agony but ... the way she ended her life was beyond sad. I am suffering from a sense of remorse," Utada said.
Utada also described her mother as "impulsive like a child but with an innocent charm that attracted everyone's attention."
Although Fuji faced many dark periods in her life, Utada said she only remembers her mother laughing.
Utada's comments drew enormous interest from the public. As of 3 p.m., Utada's website could not be accessed due to heavy traffic.
© Japan Today
28 Comments
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Howtogetlong Hair
I love and respect to Utada and her family. Keep Trying Utada
fidaruzki
I guess, the best way to remember the persons you love is their best memories together, their happiness.
Abhorsenaube
Much love and Respect to Utada and her family. It's a sad way to lose a family member, or anyone really.
Jay Que
I can relate to her, saying her Mom was ...impulsive like a child but with an innocent charm that attracted everyones attention... This is very much the same, for my once upon a time fiance, Alexandra, whom we lost 3 years ago in similar circumstances. Such tragedies significantly affect uncounted more loved ones, than just the departed. r.i.p.
WilliB
Sad. I wonder if the government harrassment she endured in the US had something to do with her mental problems.
smithinjapan
JT: "Please note that the media are not doing anything to her. She posted the statement on her official website, which is the correct thing to do."
My bad... it sounded like an interview, and the fact that it's being so heavily reported made me kind of miss the 'official website' part.
Marilita Fabie-Fujisawa
What I don't understand is why does the clothes of the victim have to be mentioned? " wearing a t- shirt and short pants"...who cares?
CLloydWhite
My condolences to Utada and her family. That is a wonderful way to remember your mother. Laughing!
sfjp330
It doesn't matter if your rich or poor. There is a strong stigma attached to mental illness in Japan that discourages many people from seeking the help they need. Perhaps awareness of mental illness in Japan remains low and overall public perceptions of mental disorders tend to be negative. Given the high number of suicides in Japan, there is an urgent need to improve diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, and government is not addressing this crisis. But this is Japan, nothing will change.
Aaron Loki Brummett
I have about 50 Utada CDs and 2 vinyl LPs. Her music makes me happy. However i understand that the people who laugh the most are usually feeling the saddest. I like the way Utada chooses to remember her mother.
Nana Jean Kinney
Hikaru's mother was a wonderful person, no doubt, this is reflected in the sweet words her daughter used to refer to a matter as serious and painful as the death of a loved one, Utada always earned my respect and devotion, but now more than ever I am in spirit with her as well as many others who like their music yque consider it a great and talented person, but above all a wonderful human being with a beautiful soul ...
gelendestrasse
Those comments are brave and good. The poor woman must be going through a lot right now. Too bad her mom couldn't get the help she needed.
Serrano
"Utada said she only remembers her mother laughing"
That's the way to remember your mother. I wish I could.
alfconde
… I admire Ms. Utada’s strength. My thoughts are all for you in this tough time. Thank you JT of how Ms. Utada first comments were as her Website is out.
Nessie
She probably ran it by her publicist first but, yes, it was tasteful.
Lowly
akb-
ya, I'm still wondering about that male furendo.
Marlin Hughes
I agree with Maria, a very dignified statement.
Tiger_In_The_Hermitage
Hang in there, we're all here supporting you Utada.
Mitch Cohen
Heard that name for the first time in more than a decade. How the memories flood back.. I remember putting some of her songs on a mix CD I made for my girlfriend back in high school.
nath
Is it still an "apparent suicide"? Are keisatsu still investigating?
Moderator
Please note that the media are not doing anything to her. She posted the statement on her official website, which is the correct thing to do.
smithinjapan
Sweet lord, media! Leave the poor girl alone. The Japanese media are almost as bad as the paparazzi in terms of hounding celebrities, and worse than the paparazzi in terms of how they try to taint the person's character if they DON'T oblige the media. Shame on them. Let the woman mourn. Why would a celebrity's feelings about a loved one committing suicide be any different than a non-celebrities? Yet these clowns in the media walk up to her and ask, "Hey, how does it feel?" "Whadya think?" "Are you sad?" etc.
ambrosia
Her comments were fine, appropriate and dignified.
The headline though is a bit odd, to say the least. Wouldn't Utada's First Comment On Mother's Apparent Suicide have made more sense?
tokyo_eiyuu
Hikaru is a beautiful young lady with amazing talent. Sad to hear about this tragedy. I still remember her album she released in the states, I was stunned by her beauty then and still am!
Maria
What a dignified statement - a fine tribute from a loving, grieving daughter about a mother who sounds like she aroused grief as well as love when alive. I hope Ms Utada stays strong and positive through such a hard time.
some14some
sad comments from a sad child.
slumdog
I like and respect Hikaru Utada even more after reading this article.