Two-time Olympic judo champion Saito dies at age 54

Two-time Olympic judo champion Saito dies at age 54

TOKYO, Japan - Hitoshi Saito, a two-time Olympic judo champion and head of the All Japan Judo Federation's committee for enhancement, holds the gold medal in the men's over 95-kilogram category at the Seoul Olympic Games in this file photo taken in October, 1988. Saito died of intrahepatic bile duct cancer on Jan. 20, 2015, in Osaka. He was 54.

Japanese man gunned down, wife seriously injured in Ecuador

Japanese man gunned down, wife seriously injured in Ecuador

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken in October, 2013, shows an urban area of Guayaquil, Ecuador. A Japanese couple -- a 28-year-old man and his 27-year-old wife -- was attacked by robbers on Dec. 28, 2013, while in Guayaquil on their honeymoon. The man died and the woman suffered serious injuries.

Musician Kazuhiko Kato found hanged at Karuizawa hotel

Musician Kazuhiko Kato found hanged at Karuizawa hotel

TOKYO, Japan - Musician Kazuhiko Kato (file photo taken in October, 2006), founder of the Sadistic Mika Band which was internationally successful in the 1970s, was found hanged at a hotel in the resort town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture on Oct. 17. The local police believe Kato, 62, who had stayed at the hotel, committed suicide.

Ueno Zoo giant panda Ling Ling dies

Ueno Zoo giant panda Ling Ling dies

TOKYO, Japan - Ling Ling (file photo taken in October, 2005), a male giant panda at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, dies on April 30. Ling Ling was 22 years and seven months old, the equivalent of about 70 in human years.

Prizewinning novelist Jugo Kuroiwa dies at 79

Prizewinning novelist Jugo Kuroiwa dies at 79

TOKYO, Japan - Jugo Kuroiwa (file photo taken in October, 1991), a prizewinning novelist known for his works based on ancient history, died on March 7 of liver failure at a hospital in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture. He was 79.

'Apple Song' singer Namiki dies at 79

'Apple Song' singer Namiki dies at 79

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows popular singer Michiko Namiki performing in Tokyo in October, 2000. Namiki, best known for singing ''Ringo no Uta'' (The Apple Song), died of heart failure April 7 at her home in Tokyo. She was 79.