Ken Shimura, popular comedian in Japan, dead at 70 after contracting coronavirus

By Mark Schilling

J-pop singer-songwriters Ken Hirai and Aimyon joined forces on a new single called "Kaibutsu-san" and shared the music video on Monday (April 6).

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a month-long state of emergency Tuesday for Tokyo and six other prefectures to ramp up defenses against the spread of the coronavirus as the number of infections surges. But the move came in the form of a stay-at-home request — not an order — and violators will not be penalized.

Toei closed its Tokyo studio Tuesday after actor Reo Komiya was diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Famous Japanese comedian Ken Shimura has tragically passed away at the age of 70 after suffering from Coronavirus complications.

Beloved Japanese comedian Ken Shimura has passed away a week after contracting the coronavirus. He was 70.

Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who was hospitalized last week after being infected with the novel coronavirus, has died. He was 70.

Update 3/30/20: We know now when the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics will take place, after the event was delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the government of Japan, and affiliated organizations announced that the Summer Games will take place from July 23, 2021, until August 8, 2021. The Paralympic Games will follow from August 24, 2021, until September 5, 2021.

The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan have officially been postponed until July 2021 and new dates have been revealed.

By Tom Grater

TOKYO -- Popular Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who drew inspiration from the American comedic icon Jerry Lewis, has died from the coronavirus, becoming Japan's first known celebrity victim of the disease. He was 70.

Ken Shimura, a comedian who was a fixture on Japanese television for decades, died on Sunday evening from the coronavirus, the Japanese media reported Monday. He was 70, and immediately before his illness had been set for his first starring role in a feature film.

Japanese comedy icon Ken Shimura has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his agency said Wednesday in Tokyo. The 70-year-old actor and comedian was hospitalized last Friday for what was thought to be a severe case of pneumonia.

Veteran Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who was hospitalized for pneumonia on Monday, tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, his agency announced Wednesday. His condition is not currently critical.