Atsushi Itō's brother found dead of an apparent suicide

by Chris MaGee

Here is a very sad story. Takahiro Itō (above left), the younger brother of actor Atsushi Itō (Battlefield Baseball, Fish Story) was found dead in his car on the shores of Lake Tagami in Kanagawa Prefecture yesterday. Police are investigating it as a suicide. He was only 21-years-old.

Takahiro was an actor in his own right, starring alongside his brother in epsiodes of the Fuji TV series "Densha Otoko" as well as the drama series "Nodame Cantabile" and last year's hit film "Yogisha X no Kenshin (Suspect X)."

The last public statement from Takahiro came from a blog posting on February 22nd titled "My Style My Life" in which he is seen in photos taken at his high school reunion. On a break from acting Takahiro had apparently given up drinking in a bid to get healthy and lose weight.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Itō-san and his family in the difficult time. Thanks to Japan Zone for the details on this.