Japanese comedian Ken Shimura dies of coronavirus-caused pneumonia english.kyodonews.net

Shimura was hospitalized on March 20 after developing a fever and being diagnosed with severe pneumonia.
He tested positive for the virus on March 23, becoming the first Japanese entertainment figure to announce their infection.
A native of Tokyo's Higashimurayama, Shimura, whose real name was Yasunori Shimura, replaced Chu Arai in the Drifters in 1974 after graduating from high school.
Shimura rose to prominence after starring in the group's prime-time television slapstick comedy show "Hachijidayo Zeninshugo!"
From 2006, he has also led a troupe for his theater show "Shimurakon" (Shimura spirit).