Japanese actor avoids jail after surviving triple suicide with parents

Ichikawa made his kabuki debut in 1980 and went on to become one of the country's most famous performers. Photo: Mark Piasecki/Getty

A Japanese theater actor who survived a triple suicide that killed his parents has avoided jail time.

Ennosuke Ichikawa was arrested in June after his mother and father — Also kabuki actors, a highly trained actor in a stylized form of traditional Japanese theater, were found unconscious in his home in Tokyo and later died.

Ichikawa told his parents that he intended to commit suicide after receiving advance warning that that he will be accused of sexual harassment. and abuse of power in a tabloid article, according to reports.

He said he feared he would disgrace the kabuki tradition if he survived and the allegations were published.

Ichikawa's parents decided to make a suicide pact with their son and took sleeping pills with his help.

The actor was found fallen in his home in May, but recovered, and his 76-year-old father and 75-year-old mother died.< /p>«Indescribable guilt»

Following Friday's court ruling that sentenced Ichikawa to a suspended prison sentence, he issued a statement saying he felt «indescribable guilt.»

“I thought I would leave deep scars on the traditions and culture of kabuki,” he said of his initial reaction to the tabloid article.

“Now I blame myself for not being strong enough to live in pangs of despair,” he said.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my decision that day. I’m sorry that only I survived, and my parents died.

“I was given a chance to live on. From now on, I'll try to figure out what I can do.»

The actor was found slumped in his home in May but recovered, while his 76-year-old father and 75-year-old mother died. Photo: AFP/Getty

The entertainment and film company Shochiku, which has produced many kabuki shows. starring Ichikawa, said nothing has been decided about his return to theaters.

“Given his contributions to the world of kabuki, we would like to support him,” “never turning a blind eye to the impact of his actions.” . had an impact on society,» the company said in a statement.

A Tokyo District Court official told AFP that the 47-year-old actor, who was free on bail, was sentenced to three years in prison, disqualified for five years.

Ichikawa made his kabuki debut in 1980 and subsequently became one of the country's most famous performers. He also began acting in television shows and films while continuing to perform in traditional theatre.

He has performed kabuki in London, Amsterdam and the Paris Opera House, and was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for dance performance, according to his official website.