Ryuichi Sakamoto, the influential Japanese composer, has passed away at the age of 71. Sakamoto was known for his diverse range of compositions, from catchy and futuristic techno to intimate piano solos, receiving numerous accolades throughout his career including an Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globes. He was also a co-founder of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, a techno-pop band that satirized Western ideas of Japanese music, and collaborated with a wide range of musicians across genres. In later years, Sakamoto became an environmentalist and activist, particularly after the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011.

Over his career, Sakamoto scored numerous films, including “The Last Emperor,” “The Sheltering Sky,” and “The Revenant”. He also recorded his final album, “12,” as a diary of sketches, following a lengthy hospitalization, through 2021 and 2022. Beyond his contributions to music, Sakamoto was an outspoken environmentalist, particularly after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011. He organized a No Nukes concert in 2012 and recorded the sounds of a melting glacier for his 2009 album “Out of Noise.”