Japanese American Fiddler dies from pancreatic cancer

Aug 15, 2023 | News On Japan

Aug 15, 2023 (asamnews.com) - Renowned Japanese American fiddler Shoji Tabuchi, a performer in Branson, Missouri; died from pancreatic cancer at 79 on Friday, his step-daughter Chrissy Lingo-Tabuchi, said on Facebook.

Tabuchi had been a violinist since he was seven years old and began his pursuit of country and bluegrass music after seeing American singer Roy Acuff perform in college.

It was in the early 1980s when Tabuchi moved to the U.S from Japan. According to Koam News, Tabuchi had moved to Nashville where he “reconnected with Akuff.” This rekindling granted Tabuchi a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, a venue that he would constantly return to. He also lived in Kansas City before moving to Branson, reports USA Today.

He was a fiddler who strayed from sticking to just performing country music as he performed pop, rock, rap and gospel as well.

Tabuchi founded his own theater, the Shoji Tabuchi Theatre, in the 1990s in Branson and launched an eponymous show featuring his wife, Dorothy Lingo, and his stepdaughter, Christina-Lingo Tabuchi. This family production helped establish Tabuchi’s reputation. ...continue reading

Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

Strong Quakes Strike Japan 11 Times Since April

Strong earthquakes have continued to shake parts of Japan in recent weeks, with 11 temblors measuring lower 5 or above on the Japanese seismic intensity scale recorded across the country since April 2026.

First Train of the Day Derails at Kintetsu Kyoto Station

A Kintetsu Railway train derailed inside Kyoto Station on the morning of June 29, forcing partial suspensions on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for the rest of the day and causing long delays that hit commuters, students and tourists.

Hikone Castle Stone Wall Collapses After Typhoon Deluge

A section of stone wall at Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original Edo-period castles and a National Treasure whose main keep remains intact more than 400 years after its construction, collapsed after heavy rain caused by Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, Hikone city officials said.

Japan Books Spot in World Cup Knockout Stage After Sweden Draw

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Akihiro Miwa, Stage Icon and Voice of Princess Mononoke, Dies at 91

Akihiro Miwa, the singer and actor whose career spanned chanson, theater, film, television and voice acting, died of old age on June 20 at the age of 91, her management office said.

Hiroji Miyamoto Marks 60th Birthday With Studio Performance

Hiroji Miyamoto, one of Japan’s leading rock singers, marked his 60th birthday with an appearance on News23, reflecting on a life spent in music and performing the program’s ending theme, "Close Your Eyes," in the studio.

GirlsFromAsia Review: 5 Features That Define the Platform Experience

When exploring an online dating platform for the first time, it helps to know which features actually shape the experience — and which ones are just window dressing.

Loneliness, peace and calm in Japan

Aesthetic calm and peace in japan.

Japan Expands Copyright to Include Background Music

Japan's parliament on June 17 enacted a revised copyright law that creates a new right allowing singers, musicians, and record companies to receive royalties when their recorded music is used as background music in commercial facilities such as cafes in Japan and overseas.