Susumu Yokata Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

A Japanese techno pioneer died in March 2015 but has family only confirmed his passing on July 14. According to his family, Susumu Yokota died at the age of 54 after suffering from a long illness. His loved ones confirmed his death in a Facebook post.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. The statement, released on the Facebook page of Yokota’s label, Sublime, doesn’t mention exactly what type of illness he had. The delay in the announcement, according to his family, was because they “were until recently unacquainted with Susumu’s music industry contacts.” The full statement read:

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Susumu Yokota who passed away on 27th March, 2015 at the age of 54 after a long period of medical treatment.

We are deeply thankful to the people who listened to and supported Susumu’s music during his lifetime.
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in this announcement, as we were until recently unacquainted with Susumu’s music industry contacts.
14 July, 2015
Susumu Yokota’s family

Founder of the Leaf Label, one of the many record companies that Yokota worked for said about him:

I only met Yokota three times, twice in the UK and a third time when I visited Japan in 2001. Yokota drove me (sometimes at alarming speed) through the endless sprawl of Tokyo and Yokohama to the tranquil city of Kamakura, where we visited ancient Buddhist and Shinto shrines and an extraordinary vegetarian restaurant (a rarity in Japan) that only served variants of tofu (it tasted immeasurably better than that sounds). Later we visited an onsen (hot spring baths), a real Japanese treat. Though he spoke very little English, he was always a charming and thoughtful companion. A sign on a harbour wall in Japanese and English we saw on the trip inspired the title of a Leaf compilation: “Watch for tsunami when you feel earth quake”, an instruction that would haunt me years later.

2. Yokota famously had been an economist before turning his hand to music in the early 1990s. He blended ambient and techno music together becoming a well-known DJ during the house-era, reports The Wire. Back in the 90s, he was most associated with burgeoning German label, Harthouse, according to Fact Magazine.

3. His last album, Dreamer, was released in 2012 by Lo records. IHe never played live, according to Lo Recordings “There’s no doubt that if he had been in a position to play live concerts his reputation would far exceed many of his contemporaries.” The full statement from Lo read:

Yokota’s music was always completely individual, always esoteric yet never wilfully indulgent. His touch was that of a master craftsman, creating intricate musical jewels that sparkled like no others.

There’s no doubt that if he had been in a position to play live concerts his reputation would far exceed many of his contemporaries. He will be sorely missed by those who value quality and originality in music.

4. Yokota was as famous for performing under his many pseudonyms which included 246, Stevia and, simply, Yokota. Fact Magazine calls his most famous works 2000’s Sakura and 2001’s Grinning Cat.

5. The music legend is being mourned by his legions of fans on Twitter: