Ryuichi Sakamoto Biography: Songs & Albums, Movies, Children, Net Worth, Wife, Age, Parents, Awards

Ryuichi Sakamoto, born on January 17, 1952, was a Japanese musician, composer, and actor celebrated for his pioneering work in electronic music, film scores, and classical compositions.

As a founding member of Yellow Magic Orchestra and an Oscar-winning composer, Sakamoto left a lasting legacy in both pop culture and contemporary music before his passing in 2023.

Profile

• Full Name: Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Stage Name: Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Born: January 17, 1952
• Age: Passed away on March 28, 2023 (aged 71)
• Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Musician, composer, record producer, actor
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
• Parent: Mr. Kazuki Sakamoto (father), Mrs. Sakamoto (mother)
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Akiko Yano (divorced)
• Children: Miu Sakamoto, Neo Sora
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth:  $20 million

Early Life and Education

Ryuichi Sakamoto was born on January 17, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan. He was 71 years old at the time of his death on March 28, 2023.

His father, Kazuki Sakamoto, was a well-known editor and literary critic, while his mother’s name is not widely publicized.

He was of Japanese ethnicity and practiced a mix of Buddhism and humanist values throughout his life. From a young age, Sakamoto showed great interest in music and art.

He began playing the piano at age three and later studied both electronic and classical music.

He attended the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts, where he earned a Bachelor’s and then a Master’s degree in music composition.

His academic background gave him a deep foundation in both Western classical music and Japanese traditional forms, which would later define his versatile style.

Career

Ryuichi Sakamoto‘s professional music career began in the late 1970s when he co-founded the influential electronic group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) alongside Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi.

YMO was one of the first bands to popularize synth-pop and techno, influencing generations of musicians in Japan and globally.

Outside of YMO, Sakamoto had a prolific solo career that covered a wide range of genres—from experimental electronic music to ambient, classical, and world music.

His early solo album Thousand Knives (1978) showcased his blend of traditional Japanese sounds with modern technology.

Sakamoto‘s international recognition grew through his work as a film composer. He won the Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for his score for The Last Emperor (1987), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.

He also composed for major films such as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), in which he also acted alongside David Bowie, and The Sheltering Sky (1990).

Over the decades, he collaborated with artists like David Sylvian, Alva Noto, Iggy Pop, and Caetano Veloso. He was also a committed environmental and peace activist, often reflecting these themes in his later music.

Even during his battle with cancer in his later years, Sakamoto continued composing and recording. His final album 12 was released in 2023 shortly before his death.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award for Best Original Score – The Last Emperor (1987)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score – The Sheltering Sky (1990)
• BAFTA Award for Best Film Music – The Last Emperor (1987)
• Grammy Award Nomination – Various years
• Order of the Arts and Letters – France
• Japan Academy Prize – Multiple years

Social Media

• Instagram handle: Not officially active
• Facebook handle: Ryuichi Sakamoto (Official)
• Twitter handle: @ryuichisakamoto

Personal Life

Japanese musician, composer, and actor Ryuichi Sakamoto was married to fellow Japanese musician Akiko Yano before their divorce. He had two children, Neo Sora and Miu Sakamoto, a well-known Japanese pop singer.

Regarding his height, Ryuichi Sakamoto stood at 5 feet 8 inches tall which is approximately (173 cm) tall.

There is no information about any of his previous romantic relationships before his marriage to Akiko Yano.

Discography

• Solo Albums:
• Thousand Knives (1978)
• Neo Geo (1987)
• BTTB (1999)
• async (2017)
• 12 (2023)

With Yellow Magic Orchestra:

• Yellow Magic Orchestra (1978)
• Solid State Survivor (1979)
• Technodelic (1981)

Filmography

Film Scores:

• Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
• The Last Emperor (1987)
• The Sheltering Sky (1990)
• Little Buddha (1993)
• The Revenant (2015 – co-composer)

Net Worth

At the time of his passing in 2023, Ryuichi Sakamoto had an estimated net worth of $20 million. His income came from decades of album sales, global concert tours, soundtrack compositions, and licensing rights.

He also earned royalties from Yellow Magic Orchestra‘s successful catalog, collaborations with global artists, and digital music streams.

Sakamoto‘s legacy continues to generate income through posthumous releases and film scores.