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| Tôno Nagiko's Family Confirms Death Was 'Accidental' After Body Found in Tokyo Apartment |
After weeks of painful silence, it’s finally been confirmed—Japanese actress Tôno Nagiko, best known for her role in the NHK morning drama Suzuran, has passed away at the age of 45.
Her family released a statement on her personal blog today (18 July), confirming that police have concluded the cause of death was an “accident”, not suicide—putting to rest the wave of online speculation that’s surrounded her case since early July.
Found Deceased, But Identity Withheld for Weeks
On 3 July, a decomposed body was discovered in Nagiko’s apartment in Tokyo. But despite immediate public concern, authorities refused to confirm the identity for more than two weeks, citing ongoing investigation and the advanced state of decomposition due to high summer temperatures.
DNA testing was conducted, but results weren’t disclosed—fueling confusion and concern among fans and netizens alike. Tôno had reportedly not been seen or heard from since 27 June.
According to earlier reports, a cleaning staff member—unable to get in touch with the actress—was the one who discovered something was off and raised the alarm.
A Quiet Life, Lived Alone
Part of the delay may have been due to Tôno Nagiko’s solitary lifestyle. The actress had cut ties with her family, ended her contract with her talent agency in September 2024, and was reportedly living independently with no known guardian or manager to formally confirm her identity to police.
This lack of contact made it difficult for investigators to quickly verify who she was, despite speculation already swirling in the media. Veteran crime journalist Ogawa Taihei even questioned the extended silence, suggesting DNA results could have been processed earlier.
“There are still ways to ID a person even in advanced decomposition,” Ogawa said. “It’s likely that this wasn’t considered a criminal case, so there was no urgency to make the name public.”
Final Blog Post Mentioned Depression
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Tono Nagiko’s last known blog update was dated 26 June, where she shared that she had recently been diagnosed with depression and was planning to begin new treatment. Fans at the time grew worried when she suddenly dropped off the radar afterwards.
Though she often appeared cheerful on-screen, Tôno had spoken occasionally about mental health and burnout in past blog posts, especially after stepping back from regular acting projects.
Legacy of a Quiet Star
Tôno rose to fame in the late ‘90s for her leading role in Suzuran, capturing hearts with her delicate yet resilient performances. While she never chased the limelight aggressively, she remained a beloved figure among longtime drama fans.
Her death has left fans heartbroken—not only because of the loss itself, but also because of how long it took to confirm what many feared.
As her family shared in their statement: “Thank you for loving Nagiko all these years. Please let her rest in peace.”
Full Statement
Obituary Notice
To All Concerned,
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued kindness and support.
We regret to inform you that Nagiko Tôno has passed away at the age of 45.
In order to protect her honour, we would also like to clarify the cause of death. According to the current assessment by the police, her passing was the result of an accident and not a suicide.
During her lifetime, Nagiko devoted herself wholeheartedly to living each day with care and love, especially for her beloved cat.
We kindly ask for your understanding and compassion regarding her wishes and way of life.
We have also received many concerned messages about her pet. Please rest assured that her cherished cat has been safely rescued and is now being cared for in a safe and peaceful environment.
We sincerely apologise for the sudden nature of this announcement and for any concern or inconvenience it may cause.
At the same time, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported Nagiko during her life.
Please note that her funeral will be held privately with close family members.
We respectfully ask for your understanding and discretion during this time.
Nagiko approached her acting career with deep sincerity and faced numerous hardships with determination and courage. As her family, we deeply admire her strength and are incredibly proud of the life she lived.
Dated: 17 July, Reiwa 7 (2025)
From: The Family of Nagiko Tôno