Japanese pop star Hirata Runa died on Sept. 25

NEED TO KNOW

• Hirata Runa, a trainee member of the Japanese girls’ idol group DIANNA Project, died of myocarditis triggered by influenza on Sept. 25
• The 8-year-old Japanese pop star shared a cheerful message with fans after her final performance on Sept. 20
• “To the fans who supported Ruyu, to everyone at the agency who made Ruyu an idol … thank you very much,” Runa’s family said in a statement

A child pop star has died five days after performing in concert.

Hirata Runa, from Nagoya, Japan, “passed away peacefully” at around 4 a.m. local time on Sept. 25, her family announced in a post on X.

The 8-year-old trainee member of Japanese girls’ idol group DIANNA Project died of myocarditis, a heart condition caused by influenza, her talent agency confirmed in a statement on Sept. 28. 

“We regret to inform you that Hirata Runa … has passed away due to myocarditis resulting from influenza,” the DIANNA Project wrote in a translated post. “…We extend our deepest gratitude to all the fans who have supported Hirata Runa and to all those involved who have provided assistance.”

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“Out of respect for the feelings of the bereaved family, we kindly ask that you refrain from making individual inquiries, interviews, or asking questions on social media regarding this matter,” the statement concluded.

According to Mayo Clinic, myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium), which can reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heartbeats, and clots, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Runa died five days after performing in concert on Sept. 20, according to Chinese outlet The Standard.

Following her final performance, she shared a photo of herself smiling on the street on X. “Thank you for today too, I appreciate it [emoji] It was so much fun ♡…,” she wrote.

A private funeral was held for Runa, attended by close relatives, according to the DIANNA Project.

Her family wrote on X, “One third of Runa’s life was spent as an idol … please let her remain in a corner of your hearts as an eternal idol.”

“To all the fellow idols who were kind to Ruyu during her lifetime, to the fans who supported Ruyu, to everyone at the agency who made Ruyu an idol, and to all the people who were involved with Ruyu, thank you very much,” they added.

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