Ennosuke Ichikawa’s mother and father had been discovered lifeless within the actor’s dwelling in Could, whereas Ichikawa was taken to hospital after collapsing.
One in all Japan’s best-known kabuki actors has been arrested on suspicion of aiding his mom’s suicide, native media mentioned, after each Ennosuke Ichikawa’s mother and father had been discovered unconscious at his dwelling final month.
TV footage confirmed a automobile apparently taking 47-year-old Ichikawa from a hospital to a police station as public broadcaster NHK and different shops reported his arrest, citing police sources.
Ichikawa is a star of the classical type of theatre and has carried out in London, Amsterdam and Paris.
In Could, rescue staff discovered Ichikawa’s 76-year-old father – additionally a kabuki actor – and his 75-year-old mom unconscious at his dwelling in Tokyo.
Each had been later confirmed lifeless from a suspected drug overdose.
Ichikawa was present in a cabinet on the home and brought to hospital the place he was questioned by police.
The actor instructed officers that the household “mentioned dying and being reborn” and that his mother and father had taken sleeping capsules, in line with NHK.
An obvious suicide observe written by Ichikawa, who had beforehand been prescribed sleeping capsules, was additionally reportedly discovered inside his dwelling.
Police consider he had tried suicide together with his mother and father, and moved to arrest him amid concern he would possibly attempt to tamper with proof or run away.
The reviews mentioned police are persevering with investigations into the circumstances of Ichikawa’s father’s loss of life.
Ichikawa, whose actual identify is Takahiko Kinoshi, made his kabuki debut in 1980 and went on to turn into one of many nation’s most famed performers.
He was as soon as nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for dance efficiency, in line with his web site.