On September 14, her agency, Alpha Agency, announced through its official website that Nakamura had died from rectal cancer on September 1.
The agency added that her funeral had already been held privately, attended by her family, close relatives, fellow actors represented by the agency, and staff members.
“Yuri Nakamura had also battled cancer 13 years ago,” the agency explained. “At the time, she and the agency agreed not to disclose the diagnosis because it could cause unnecessary concern among the people she worked with. She later recovered and continued doing the work she loved while faithfully undergoing regular medical checkups.”
However, the agency revealed that cancer was detected again in January last year.
“Although the surgery was successful, metastasis was discovered afterward,” the statement continued. “At that point, it became difficult to pursue a complete cure. Instead, the focus shifted toward continuing treatment to live alongside the disease and making the most of a long, energetic, and fulfilling life.”
The agency went on to say that Nakamura had been working toward a return to the entertainment industry when she developed another intestinal obstruction in August this year. She was then suddenly informed that she had very little time left.
“Even until the very end, she never lost her composure,” the agency said. “With her beautiful and gentle smile, she was able to spend precious final moments with her family and those close to her.”
The agency also expressed its gratitude to Nakamura’s fans, as well as the staff members and fellow actors who had supported and worked with her throughout her career.
Nakamura was born to a third-generation Korean resident of Japan and a Korean mother. She made her debut in the entertainment industry in 1998 as a member of the idol duo Yurimari. After the group disbanded and she took a break from show business, she transitioned into acting.
She went on to appear in films such as Pacchigi! Love & Peace, Ju-on: The Black Girl, I Wish, Like Father, Like Son, and Our Little Sister, continuing to build her career as an actress.
In South Korea, she was particularly recognized for her role as Irene Namikawa in the Japanese-Korean Netflix series Romantic Anonymous, which was released last year.