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Japanese comedian Ken Shimura dies from COVID-19

By Bianca Geli
Published March 31, 2020 1:26 PM PHT

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Japanese comedian Ken Shimura is the first celebrity from Japan to die from COVID-19.

Veteran comedian Ken Shimura has passed away due to the coronavirus, as reported by The Japan Times. Shimura's agency announced his passing on March 30 which was caused by pneumonia caused by COVID-19. He was 70 years old.

Ken Shimura / Photo by aramajapan.com
Ken Shimura / aramajapan.com

Shimura is also the first entertainment figure to publicly announce his infection. He was hospitalized on March 20 after developing a high fever and was later on diagnosed with severe pneumonia. He tested positive for COVID-19 on March 23.

READ: Actor Menggie Cobarrubias dies of pneumonia complications pending COVID-19 test results

He rose to fame in 1969 from the comedy show Hachijidayo Zeninshugo! and was also part of the rock band The Drifters.

Prior to his death, he was starring in Tensai! Shimura Dobutsuen and other TV programs. He was also scheduled to star in a film based on the book The Name Above the Title in April.

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