13 Facts About Minako Honda

Minako Kudo, better known as Minako Honda, was a Japanese idol and musical singer.

Minako Honda was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia on January 5,2005.

At 4:38 AM on November 6,2005, Honda died at the Juntendo University Hospital in Bunkyo, Tokyo.

Minako Honda had auditioned for a part in the Tokyo production of Broadway play Miss Saigon, she won out over 15,000 other candidates for the part of Kim.

Minako Honda was fined and expelled from Vietnam shortly after.

Minako Honda would go on to perform in leading roles in Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, and Les Miserables.

Minako Honda did not abandon pop music in her adult career; indeed, she became recognized for her vocal improvement in the adult pop genre.

In 2004, Minako Honda would add a period to the end of her name; this was done because Minako Honda believed there was judgment to her surname.

Minako Honda became ill in late 2004, but still performed in December in spite of a fever and fatigue.

Minako Honda was able to celebrate her 38th birthday at home feeling relatively well, but had a relapse shortly afterwards.

Minako Honda recovered again briefly, but then suffered another relapse.

Minako Honda developed lung complications on October 21,2005, and she lapsed into a coma on November 3.

Note: Minako Honda was originally cast as Fantine in Les Miserables for the Japanese tour in 2005, but due to her death, another actor was given the part.