Masaru Ezaki is seen in this image provided by The Label Inc.

       TOKYO -- Japanese music producer Masaru Ezaki died on Aug. 31 following a coronavirus infection, it was announced on his official homepage on Sept. 6. Ezaki was in his 50s, and had not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

       According to an announcement, Yukarin, a member of the hip-hop duo "hy4_4yh" that Ezaki was producing for, was confirmed infected with the coronavirus on Aug. 21. At the time Ezaki took a test which came back negative, but three days later the group's other member, Chanchala, also tested positive. Ezaki then took a second, positive test.

       Because he had mild symptoms, Ezaki was recovering at home as he had wished, while under the instructions of a public health center, but his condition reportedly took a sudden turn.

       Among Ezaki's other credits include songs with actor Yuji Oda and with the pop group AKB48.

       (Japanese original by Haruka Ito, Cultural News Department)

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0