Japanese actor Haruma Miura dead at 30: Kimi Ni Todoke star passes away in suspected suicide

Japanese actor Haruma Miura has died aged 30 in a suspected suicide.

The star, who was known for films like Attack On Titan and Kimi Ni Todoke, was found unresponsive at his home in the Minato ward of Tokyo on Saturday afternoon, NHK News has revealed.

It was reported that his manager found Miura when he came to his home to check on him when he did not show up for work. 

News sources claimed he was rushed to hospital after being found, but was declared dead upon arrival. 

It was also reported that the Tokyo Metropolitan Police are currently investigating his death, but believe his cause of death to be suicide.

Miura made his debut in the Japanese film industry at the age of seven after he appeared in NHK drama Agri in 1997.

As a student he formed the band Brash Brats with his fellow classmates, but the group announced their hiatus in 2005. 

The actor, who hails from the Ibaraki prefecture, went on to appear in several dramas and films after he joined Amuse Inc, one of Japan’s biggest talent agencies.

He began to gain recognition soon after and earned the Sponichi Grand Prix Newcomer Award at the Mainichi Film Awards in 2009 for his role in Naoko, which also earned him the newcomer award at the 31st Japan Academy Awards.

Miura went on to star in several Japanese TV dramas, being cast in supporting roles in Binbō Danshi and Gokusen before being cast as the lead in Bloody Monday opposite Takeru Satoh.

In 2009, Miura starred opposite Shun Oguri in Crows Zero II, the highly anticipated sequel to the hugely popular action flick Crows Zero.

Continuing to grow in popularity, the actor landed the lead role in the live-action adaptation of manga Kimi Ni Todoke, which saw him play popular boy Kazehaya who falls in love with outcast Sawako.

Miura also took the title role of Eren in the two-part live-action adaptation of Attack On Titan, which he appeared in alongside Kiko Mizuhara and Hiroki Hasegawa.

The actor posted his final Instagram post three days before his death, in which he encouraged fans to watch his next drama Love Will Begin When Money End which is set to air in September. 

He will appear posthumously in Brave: Gunjyo Senki, which he finished filming in January 2020, and will be released in 2021. 

If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org. 

For confidential support call National Suicide Prevention Line, 1-800-273-8255