Kyu Sakamoto (坂本 九, Sakamoto Kyū), a Japanese singer and actor, born Hisashi Oshima on 10th November 1941 Kawasaki, Japan- and died on 12th August 1985. Best known outside Japan for his international hit song "Ue o Muite Arukō" (aka Sukiyaki) which reached No.1 on the Billboard 100, and No.6 in the UK.
Sakamoto began his professional singing career with Danny Iida & Paradise King in 1960. His solo career commenced the following year.
In 1985 he was on board Japan Airlines Flight 123 which encountered problems shortly after take off and crashed near Mount Takamagahara. All 15 crew members and 505 of the 509 passengers on board died.
