Sei Ashina has died aged just 36, her management company have confirmed.
A statement released this week read: “The detailed situation is currently under investigation, but we would like to ask the media to consider the deep sorrow of their families and refrain from interviewing them.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the kindness of Ashina during his lifetime and pray for the souls of all of you.”
The statement failed to mention the cause of death simply that it was “sad and unfortunate”.
Ashina, whose real name was Igarashi Aya, was born in 1983 and grew up in Fukushima, Japan.
(Image: WireImage)
When she was a teenager she moved to Tokyo to follow her dream working as a model.
After bagging the a role in Tokyo Broadcast System drama series A Tale of Happiness in 2002 she went on to land a part in Silk.
Silk was an adaptation of Italian author Alessandro Baricco novel of the same name.
The role became the biggest of her career.
Ashina starred alongside Michael Pitt and Keira Knightley.
In 2010 Ashina also portrayed a lead role Kazuya Konaka drama Nanase: The Psychic Wanderers.
Sei Ashina starrred alongside Keira Knightley in Silk (Image: Getty Images)
The actress also appeared in popular TV Asahi series Aibo : Tokyo Detective Duo.
Most recently she was featured in the film AI Amok.
According to Variety, both Tokyo police and her agency have confirmed Ashina died from suicide.
They add that no note was found at the scene.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
