One of Japan’s best-known kabuki theater actors was given a suspended sentence Friday for abetting his parents’ suicide, a case that rocked the Japanese traditional arts world.
Ennosuke Ichikawa, 47, was arrested last June after both his parents were found unconscious in his Tokyo home the previous month.
The deaths of his 76-year-old father, also an actor in this form of traditional Japanese theater, and his 75-year-old mother were later confirmed.
According to local media, Mr Ichikawa had warned his parents of his intention to end his life after they were informed of the publication of a tabloid article accusing him of harassment and sexual assault.
All three then decided to commit suicide together, with the parents taking sleeping pills with the help of their son.
Mr. Ichikawa himself was found in a semi-conscious state the same day.
The actor, who was released on bail, was sentenced to a three-year suspended prison sentence, a spokesman for the Tokyo court told AFP.
Mr. Ichikawa said in a statement released Friday after the court decision that he felt “indescribable guilt.”
After learning of the tabloid article, “I thought I would leave deep scars in the tradition and culture of Kabuki.” The weight of that prospect was too great to bear, but “I should have chosen to be in it too to live in the turmoil of despair,” he said.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the decision I made that day. I regret that I was the only one who survived while my parents died,” he added.
In addition to the allegations against him, Mr. Ichikawa said in court last month that he had also suffered the stress of years of caring for his father, who was suffering from cancer and had violent outbursts. According to local media, he was in the mood.
The production company Shochiku, which has directed many kabuki shows starring Mr. Ichikawa, said no decision had been made about a possible return to theaters.
Ennosuke Ichikawa, real name Takahiko Kinoshi, a star actor of traditional Japanese theater, began his career in kabuki in 1980 and became one of the country’s most renowned actors. He has performed notably in London, Amsterdam and at the Opéra Garnier in Paris.