It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of XJAPAN’s esteemed bass player HEATH after his battle with colorectal cancer, on October 29th, 2023, at the age of 55.
His cancer was found during an examination in June of this year. Despite his efforts to battle the disease, his condition declined suddenly in October, and he took his last breath in the hospital.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who cherished HEATH throughout his lifetime.
We, the members of X JAPAN have personally bid farewell to HEATH, but are still deeply saddened and dismayed by his sudden loss. Individual tributes from X JAPAN members will be shared on HEATH’s official website at https://www.heathproject.com/.
HEATH’s obituary was originally scheduled for release in mid-November in accordance with his family’s wishes, but it is being announced today due to unwarranted media coverage over the last few days.
The funeral will be held among immediate family members only. The family asks that any visits, donations or flowers be withheld. The date of the funeral will remain undisclosed. We appreciate your understanding.
A formal farewell ceremony for HEATH will be arranged at a later date. That ceremony will be led by X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI in accordance with HEATH’s wishes as conveyed by his family.
X JAPAN extends our love and prayers to HEATH and would like to thank everyone who has supported him.
One of the most successful rock groups in Japanese history – X Japan – has released their first new single in eight years, “Angel”.
UPDATE:
“Angel” debuted #1 across five iTunes charts, #2 on two more and top twenty on many others. The song charted #1 on Japan Rock Chart and Japan All Genres Chart, Macao All Genres Chart, Norway Rock Chart, and Taiwan All Genres Chart; #2 on Hong Kong All Genres Chart, and Netherlands Rock Chart; #3 on France Rock Chart, and Rock Charts in Mexico (#8), Germany (#13), UK (#14), Italy (#16), and US (#77) respectively.
X Japan has achieved legendary status among rock fans worldwide, making a buzz at Coachella, headlining major venues such as Wembley Arena and Madison Square Garden, and selling out Japan’s 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome a record 18 times.
The last single from X Japan was 2015’s “Born To Be Free”, and the critically-acclaimed documentary film about the band – We Are X – was released in 2016 in 30 countries, winning awards at the SXSW and Sundance Film Festivals.
With music and lyrics by X Japan leader, composer, drummer, and pianist YOSHIKI, the band’s latest release “Angel” is one of their most personal and emotional ballads. “Angel” is distributed globally by Melodee Music/Ingrooves/Virgin Music Group.
Recently, X Japan became the center of controversy when Elon Musk announced he was rebranding Japanese Twitter as “X Japan”, causing fans across the globe to respond in support of the band’s trademark and supporting them as the country’s only true “X Japan”.
X Japan is one of the most successful rock groups in Japanese history. Led by composer, drummer, and pianist YOSHIKI, the band has sold more than 30 million albums, singles, and videos combined, sold out Japan’s 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times, and played to millions of fans around the world.
In 1997, at the height of their success, the band broke up. In early 2007, YOSHIKI and vocalist Toshl reunited, and later that year X Japan officially reformed.
The band launched its reunion in 2008 with 3 nights at the Tokyo Dome. In 2010, X Japan performed for the first time at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Immediately following the festival, X Japan played the biggest concert in its history, selling out two consecutive shows at Japan’s Nissan Stadium, filling 140,000 seats. The band then launched their first North American tour, selling out across the U.S. and Canada.
X Japan made their Coachella debut in 2018, and the band performed three sold-out concerts at Makuhari Messe in September 2018 for 100,000 fans. The current line-up of X Japan is YOSHIKI (drums/piano/composer), TOSHI (vocals), PATA (guitar), HEATH (bass), SUGIZO (violin/guitar).
AWARD-WINNING X JAPAN DOCUMENTARY WE ARE X NOW AVAILABLE ON PRIME VIDEO
“If We Are X proves anything, it’s that rock bands can experience similar trials: acrimony and fatalities, but also, sometimes, glorious comebacks.” — THE NEW YORK TIMES
“An excellent new doc profiles one of Japan’s most famous bands—and captures the transcendence and pain of devoting your life to music.” — PITCHFORK
“Invoking the spirit of an epic rock show, We Are X expresses all the energy, joy and sadness of X Japan’s music.” — LOS ANGELES TIMES
“The whole ongoing story of X plays like an epic saga of demise and rebirth, a karmic wheel of fortune that continues to this day…Prepare to be blown away.” — AUSTIN CHRONICLE
“We Are X is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish… a compelling and deeply personal portrait of a band who have one hell of a story to tell.” — LOUDER
“If those guys were born in America, they might be the biggest band in the world.”
— GENE SIMMONS (KISS)
We Are X- Trailer
WE ARE X — the critically acclaimed documentary film about legendary rock band X JAPAN — is now available for the first time in the U.S. on Prime Video for subscribers from February 25th. To date, Japan’s biggest and most influential rock band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. They continue to headline the world’s largest stages, including the Coachella Music Festival, London’s Wembley Arena, and Japan’s premiere venue Tokyo Dome, which they sold-out a record-breaking 18 times.
From the Oscar-winning production team behind SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN, WE ARE X is an astonishingly intimate portrait of a deeply haunted but truly unstoppable virtuoso and the music that has enthralled legions of the world’s most devoted fans. The film culminates with preparations for X JAPAN’s historic one-off reunion concert in 2014 at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden.
Hailed as a “fascinating and assured documentary” by The New York Times and “the most dramatic rock story you’ve never heard” by MTV UK, WE ARE X chronicles the exhilarating, tumultuous, and unimaginable history of X JAPAN over the past three decades. It has captivated a wide range of admirers including Sir George Martin, KISS, and Stan Lee. Released theatrically in over 30 countries and featuring a worldwide chart-topping soundtrack, the film has won awards at the Sundance and SXSW Film Festivals and was an official selection at over 30 international film festivals.
X JAPAN — led by YOSHIKI (composer, drummer, pianist), TOSHI (vocals), PATA (guitar), HEATH (bass), and SUGIZO (guitar, violin) — is the most successful rock group in Japanese history. Their 1989 album Blue Blood was named one of the 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone Japan. In the band’s early days, their look and sound sparked a global interest in the Japanese cultural rock phenomenon “Visual-Kei”, a wild fashion and music movement X Japan pioneered that spread worldwide.
About YOSHIKI:
Named one of the most influential composers in Japanese history, YOSHIKI has sold over 50 million albums and singles worldwide to date as both leader of X JAPAN and as an accomplished solo artist. Trained as a classical pianist, YOSHIKI has composed a wide array of pieces, from the Golden Globes theme song to a piano concerto for the Emperor of Japan. As a classical artist YOSHIKI has headlined Carnegie Hall, with his live concert special Yoshiki: Live at Carnegie Hall airing on PBS stations nationwide. He has collaborated with Beatles producer Sir George Martin, Queen, Sarah Brightman, and more recently, The Chainsmokers, Bono, will.i.am, and St. Vincent. A fashion icon and creator of designer label Yoshikimono, YOSHIKI has modeled for YSL Beauty and was the first Japanese man to appear on the cover of Vogue Japan. YOSHIKI was recently awarded a Medal of Honor by the Emperor of Japan for his charitable efforts through his nonprofit organization Yoshiki Foundation America. His own Sanrio character yoshikitty was created by Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi, and YOSHIKI also inspired Stan Lee comic Blood Red Dragon. YOSHIKI also has his own line of wines from Napa Valley in collaboration with Robert Mondavi Jr.
The award-winning rock music film We Are X – the critically-acclaimed documentary about the rock group X Japan – will be presented as an Official Selection of the 2020 Beijing International Film Festival this week.
Summer Sonic will stream X Japan’s legendary 2011 performance on the event’s YouTube channel along with sets from Green Day (2012), Nine Inch Nails (2009), Rihanna (2012), and The Prodigy (2008).
– YOSHIKI dedicates performance with orchestra to memories of band members and Japan’s historic transition from Heisei to Reiwa
– Premiere episode of NHK World program now streaming to 300 million viewers worldwide in English/Japanese
April 25, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YOSHIKI gave special performances of “Endless Rain” and “Anniversary” on NHK World’s premiere episode of “SONGS OF TOKYO”, which aired worldwide on April 22, 2019.
“Anniversary”, the concerto composed by YOSHIKI for the 10th anniversary of Emperor Akihito’s reign, was performed for the first time in full on national Japanese television. NHK World reaches 300 million viewers in over 160 countries, and YOSHIKI, backed by an orchestra for the special event, dedicated the song to the transition between the Heisei and Reiwa eras.
On New Year’s Eve 2018, YOSHIKI made Japanese television history with his dual performance on the “69th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen,” the last of the Heisei Era, by performing for both opposing Red and White teams during the top-rated broadcast. YOSHIKI wore white to plays drums for the Attack on Titan theme “Red Swan” with HYDE and SUGIZO, and then switched clothing on stage to wear red for his piano performance of “Miracle” with Sarah Brightman, creating a nationwide buzz that made YOSHIKI the number one trending topic on Twitter.
On September 30, 2018, X JAPAN’s third-straight night of sold-out concerts for 100,000 fans — X JAPAN LIVE IN JAPAN 2018 — was suddenly cancelled due to the impending weather effects of Typhoon Trami.
With concern for the safety of fans as their top priority, X JAPAN sent the entire audience home and announced that the band would perform an unprecedented large-scale “closed-door concert” with complete stage effects and crew which was broadcast to an audience of over 1 million viewers.
X JAPAN’s third-straight night of sold-out concerts — X JAPAN LIVE IN JAPAN 2018 THREE DEEP RED NIGHTS AT MAKUHARI MESSE — was suddenly cancelled on September 30th due to the impending weather effects of Typhoon Trami.
With concern for the safety of fans as their top priority, X JAPAN announced that tickets for all 33,000 people would be refunded but the band would perform an unprecedented large-scale “closed-door concert” with complete stage effects and crew for the scheduled live broadcast on WOWOW that night.
When the announcement was made in the early afternoon, thousands of fans who had arrived early at the venue screamed in shock, many having traveled from overseas to join the 100,000 who’d gathered from September 28-30 for X JAPAN’s largest live concerts in 8 years.
X JAPAN played a special concert as the headliner of TV Asahi Dream Festival 2018 at Makuhari Messe on September 15 in Chiba, Japan. The band gave the audience of 15,000 an advance look at the band’s energetic performance just two weeks before they kick off their three-day series “X JAPAN LIVE IN JAPAN 2018 THREE DEEP RED NIGHTS AT MAKUHARI MESSE” on September 28 for 100,000 fans.
Surprise Three-Day Concert Announced!
Largest X JAPAN Concert Since 2010!
YOSHIKI comments on the future of X JAPAN!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2018
YOSHIKI announced X JAPAN’s new tour “X JAPAN Live in Japan 2018 Three Deep Red Nights at Makuhari Messe” on his Yoshiki Channel broadcast on August 19th, with ticket pre-sales for the September 28-30 dates beginning immediately after the program aired.
With an expected audience of 100,000 fans, announcing the three-day event just one month in advance is a bold move made possible by X JAPAN’s international popularity. Normally an event of this magnitude would be announced up to one year ahead of time.
“I had a lot of personal conflicts, both mentally and physically after surgery, and I wasn’t sure about these shows until the very last minute,” said YOSHIKI, talking about the concerts on Yoshiki Channel live from Los Angeles. “But I think we should try to move forward. We’ll decide the future of the band based on these concerts.”
On Saturday, July 28, YOSHIKI made a surprise appearance on stage with internationally famous DJ and producer Skrillex at one of Japan’s biggest outdoor music events, Fuji Rock Festival ’18, held at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata, Japan.
The 40,000 fans at the main stage were shocked by YOSHIKI’s arrival, but soon began cheering and shouting for the unexpected collaboration between two globally famous artists. As Skrillex played a special mix he created for YOSHIKI, YOSHIKI began to perform X JAPAN’s “Endless Rain” on a crystal piano. At the otherworldly intro, loud cheers shook the venue, and the voices of tens of thousands of fans sang the song’s famous chorus while YOSHIKI played accompanied by Skrillex’s guitar.
YOSHIKI gave fans a special preview of his new theme song for the anime series Attack on Titan on his official Instagram page, revealing the clip of “Red Swan” by “YOSHIKI feat. HYDE” along with a montage of imagery from the anime’s third season which begins July 22 on NHK in Japan.
X JAPAN leader performs 7 concerts in 4 days
YOSHIKI continues to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity
International athletes, artists, and politicians attend YOSHIKI’s intimate concert series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2018
YOSHIKI completed the first wave of his sold-out dinner shows in Tokyo on July 16, a marathon 7 shows over 4 days celebrating the fifth anniversary of his intimate concert series.
“EVENING WITH YOSHIKI 2018 IN TOKYO JAPAN 6 DAYS 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL” included guest appearances by Yoshikitty, a string quartet, guest vocalists Katie Fitzgerald and Ashley Knight, a YOSHIKIMONO fashion show, a collaborative performance with the Maki Asami Ballet Group, and a surprise drum performance from YOSHIKI.
X JAPAN’s “Red Swan” has been chosen as the opening theme for Season 3 of the TV anime Attack on Titan. The new song, featuring YOSHIKI’s first-ever recording collaboration with vocalist HYDE (L’Arc~en~Ciel), was announced at Anime Expo on July 8, 2018 at the season opener’s world-premiere screening in Los Angeles.
YOSHIKI shocked fans at LUNATIC FEST. 2018 with a moving tribute to X Japan guitarist hide and guest collaborations with members of LUNA SEA, GLAY, and MUCC in his first-ever solo classical performance at a music festival.
YOSHIKI opened his set with Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” as a thematic homage to the festival’s organizers, LUNA SEA. As the final notes resonated over the audience, an image of HIDE appeared on the screen above the stage, causing shouts and tears from fans. With scenes from the documentary film We Are X and the newly-released HIDE 20th Memorial Project Film HURRY GO ROUND playing in the background, YOSHIKI performed a special arrangement to accompany HIDE’s unreleased vocal recording of “HURRY GO ROUND”.
Legendary Japanese rock group X JAPAN made a triumphant return to the Coachella Music & Arts Festival this past weekend, Saturday, April 21. As one of only a few rock artists performing at the festival, X JAPAN’s powerful rock performance and elaborate production thrilled the Coachella crowd with a rousing hard rock concert, pyrotechnics and special effects that delivered both surprises and guest stars.
X JAPAN made their Coachella debut on April 14 — YOSHIKI’s first major concert on drums since the band headlined SSE Wembley Arena in London last year — with a hard-rocking set that drew praise from music fans and media alike.
Yoshiki Returns to Drums after Surgery
X Japan Debuts at Coachella Tonight – Headlining The Mojave Stage at 11:10pm
International Fans Can Watch X Japan Live On YouTube (link)
April 14, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
X Japan drummer/pianist YOSHIKI performed his first full concerts on drums following last year’s emergency spinal disc replacement surgery on April 10 and 11 at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo, warming up for the band’s debut performance at Coachella tonight, April 14.
Named by the Grammy Awards poll as one of Top 3 most anticipated acts at Coachella, X JAPAN will be performing as one of the only hard rock acts on the bill both weekends. With hip-hop recently taking the reins as the #1 genre in the world, the inclusion of X JAPAN at the festival amongst the likes of Beyoncé and The Weeknd is a testament to the band’s groundbreaking success far and wide.
The band will be headlining the Mojave Stage on Saturday, April 14th and Saturday, April 21st at 11:10pm. In addition to the holograms of deceased members HIDE and TAIJI, there will be a collection of guests gracing the stage alongside X JAPAN. Bandleader and illustrious drummer/pianist, YOSHIKI, will also be returning to the stage after his emergency cervical artificial disc replacement surgery less than one year ago, making the performance one you cannot miss. YOSHIKI asserts: “I’ll make rock mainstream again. After being nearly paralyzed and coming back, nothing is impossible!”
As X JAPAN prepares to return to the U.S. next month for their debut performances at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, the group has partnered with the Grammy Museum for a special screening of the award-winning documentary film We Are X.
X JAPAN ANNOUNCES 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF REUNION PREMIUM GIGS
Special Pre-Coachella concerts at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo will feature guest guitarists Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses) and Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) on the 10th anniversary of X Japan’s 2008 reunion at Tokyo Dome.
X JAPAN has announced that it will perform a pair of solo concerts to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their re-unification — “X JAPAN LIVE 2018 Pre-American Music Festival Appearance PREMIUM GIGS ~ YOSHIKI: A Night Of Resurrection ~” — on April 10 and 11 at Zepp DiverCity (Tokyo).
On March 8, X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI (drums, piano) appeared live from Los Angeles via his “YOSHIKI CHANNEL” broadcast on the NicoNico live-streaming service. The program, titled “X JAPAN Breaking News ~ YOSHIKI makes a sudden appearance from overseas ~”, featured YOSHIKI himself announcing the concert dates. Scheduled special guests include Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses) and Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit), who performed with X JAPAN in three reunion shows at the Tokyo Dome in March 2008.
X JAPAN is scheduled to perform on April 14 and 21 at the Coachella 2018 Music Festival in Indio, California. Since YOSHIKI’s return from surgery last year, this series of concerts will be his first full stage performances on drums. During the broadcast, YOSHIKI said that he would play drums as much he can be allowed, and that these performances would be a test of his resolve.
Tickets to “X JAPAN LIVE 2018 Pre-American Music Festival Appearance PREMIUM GIGS ~ YOSHIKI: A Night Of Resurrection ~” will be available starting today via the fan clubs for each respective member of X JAPAN. In addition, remote live viewing theatrical broadcasts of the concert will take place on April 11 in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.
“X JAPAN LIVE 2018 pre-American music festival appearance PREMIUM GIGS ~ YOSHIKI: A Night Of Resurrection”
Concert dates: April 10 (Tuesday), 11 (Wednesday), 2018
Venue: Zepp DiverCity
Doors open: 6:00 p.m. Performance begins: 7:00 p.m.
*Special guests: Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses) and Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit)
VIDEO: “Yoshiki’s return to drums! X Japan to perform at Coachella 2018”
“X JAPAN LIVE 2018 pre-American music festival appearance PREMIUM GIGS ~ YOSHIKI: A Night Of Resurrection” LIVE VIEWING
Date: April 11, 2018 (Wednesday) Performance begins at 7:00 p.m.
Venues: Movie theaters throughout Japan nationwide, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.
*Door opening times will vary depending on the theater.
Prices (Japan): All seats reserved: ¥4,800 (tax included)
Theater and ticket information will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. Please check websites for information.
X Japan named Best Event of 2017
Over 1 million votes cast in SSE Live Awards competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2018
X Japan’s 2017 London concert has been crowned “Best Event” at The SSE Arena, Wembley in the SSE Live Awards. Over one million votes were placed across SSE’s three sponsored venues to determine this year’s winner.
The X Japan World Tour came out on top after securing over 36% of the public vote from an impressive selection of 68 events.
YOSHIKI will visit Moscow for the Russian theatrical premiere of We Are X on January 29. The award-winning film will be shown in a special double-feature event featuring renowned Russian rock band Mumiy Troll, and YOSHIKI will participate in a live Q&A after the film.
Biggest rock group in Japanese history X JAPAN returns to the U.S. for Coachella 2018 debut!
Band leader & drummer YOSHIKI makes comeback in first rock concert after artificial disc replacement surgery.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 5, 2018
Legendary Japanese rock group X JAPAN will return to the U.S. this spring (Saturday, April 14, Saturday, April 21) for their debut performances at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California.
Yoshiki, leader of X Japan, made his return to the drums during a live television broadcast on New Year’s Eve, shocking the audience of the popular Japanese television program Kouhaku Uta Gassen with a rocking drum performance just over six months after his neck surgery last May.
X Japan’s appearance at the 68th annual Kouhaku, the holiday music showcase which gathers all of Japan’s top performers, began with an elegant rendition of “Endless Rain” – with Yoshiki on piano and Toshl on vocals – before the performance suddenly transformed into X Japan’s legendary rock song “Kurenai”.
X JAPAN begins official Instagram account
WE ARE X Japan DVD/BD release hits #1 on iTunes & Amazon; dominates top 7 spots on Amazon DVD ranking
WE ARE X Limited Edition Vinyl Soundtrack is first X Japan/Sony vinyl release in 28 years
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2017
X Japan launched its official Instagram account this week to commemorate the Japanese DVD/Blu-ray release of We Are X on December 13. The band’s award-winning documentary film is currently dominating this week’s charts, earning the #1 spot on Amazon, iTunes, and other retailers.
X Japan leader YOSHIKI reunited with VAMPS frontman Hyde on the final day of Halloween Party 2017 for a powerful collaboration performance.
YOSHIKI flew directly from France to make the October 29th concert at Makuhari Messe after completing an exhausting promotional tour of Europe for the award-winning documentary film We Are X. YOSHIKI and Hyde first teamed up at VISUAL JAPAN SUMMIT 2016, and performed together again at Halloween Party 2016.
X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI returned to Paris, France, on October 24th for his final day of a marathon tour promoting the European premiere of award-winning documentary, We Are X.
YOSHIKI will immediately return to Japan to appear at the HALLOWEEN PARTY 2017 concert event at Makuhari Messe on October 29th presented by VAMPS. Next week, on November 3rd, YOSHIKI CHANNEL (ranked first among artist channels on Japan’s largest video site “niconico”) will broadcast a visit to the new YOSHIKIMONO exhibition and present a guest performance from Wagakki Band.