Kuraki Mai’s father, film director Yamasaki Isomi has passed away

Kuraki Mai’s father, filmmaker Yamasaki Isomi passed away on April 5th of heart failure.  He was 76-years-old.

Yamasaki who began as an actor at the age of 16, established his own CM production company in his 20s and would later become involved in movie production and as a filmmaker.

His relationship with Kuraki was strong when she was younger.  He put her in a commercial when she was three years old.  But when  Kuraki temporarily went to work for movie in Taiwan, he and Kuraki’s mother separated and divorced suddenly in 2000, the year of Kuraki’s music debut.

And the last time he had contact with his daughter was when she was in the third grade.

According to “FRIDAY”, three days before his death, a friend said that Yamasaki was doing fine and he was talking about the opportunity to see his daughter in April.  The first time they would meet in over 20 years and was saying how happy he was he can finally meet his daughter.  He wanted to meet his daughter at the end of a concert but they were unable to and hoped the two could meet at a relaxing place.

Kuraki released a comment, “After my 20th anniversary of my debut last year, I was thinking of reuniting with my father, but I thought I could meet and talk when my mind was more well-organized.  The death of my father was sudden and I haven’t accepted it.  I am disappointed and shocked”.

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