Japan: Actress Yuko Takeuchi found dead

She was 40.

Police suspect that Yuko, a mother of two, took her own life and have launched an investigation into the matter.

Yuko's body was apparently found by her actor husband Taiki Nakabayashi at their home in Shibuya Ward, a BBC report said.

Takeuchi was a well-known actress in Japan, having appeared in many films and TV series during her career, but she gained worldwide recognition for her role in Miss Sherlock, where she played the role of female Sherlock Holmes in the 2018 HBO series.

Between 2004 and 2007, she won the best actress award in a leading role three years in a row at the Japanese Academy Awards.

Although police have neither confirmed nor ruled out suicide in Takeuchi's case, but she is the latest in a series of Japanese celebrities, who have taken their own lives in recent times, including actress Sei Ashina earlier this month, actor Haruma Miura in July and wrestling star Hana Kimura in May.

Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, although figures have dropped since preventative measures were introduced in 2015, according to the World Health Organisation.