Enka singer Nobue Matsubara dies at age 65

Enka singer Nobue Matsubara has passed away at the age of 65. She was reportedly transported by ambulance from her residence in Shinagawa, Tokyo, to a hospital on the morning of the 13th, where her death was confirmed.

Matsubara, born Nobue Hirohara, rose to fame in 1979 with her debut hit ‘Onna no Defune,’ which earned her the Newcomer Award at the Japan Record Awards. A prominent figure in the enka genre, she appeared on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen seven times throughout her career.

In her later years, Matsubara remained active in the music industry, participating in program recordings as recently as this month. She had previously been open about her health struggles, including a kidney transplant received from her brother in 2009 to treat kidney failure. Authorities have stated there are no signs of foul play regarding her death.