[JAPAN] Thousands of ZARD fans pay their respect to Sakai Izumi

Sakai Izumi’s production company “Being” opened their offices in Tokyo/Roppongi and Osaka for fans to come in and pay their respects to the lead vocalist of ZARD who died in a tragic accident on Sunday.  Offices on Tuesday morning opened at 7:00 a.m. and immediately sounds of crying fans were heard.

Fans had the opportunity to bring in flowers and look at the CD singles and albums of ZARD.

ZARD’s “Golden Best 15th Anniversary album” which was released back in October 2006 was #6 on today’s Oricon Daily Charts and other past albums resurfaced on the Oricon top 100.  The albums were sold out of many music stores around Japan that Being issued a statement that they are shipping more of the albums to fulfill demand.

Sakai Izumi’s body arrived in her hometown at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday and a wake was held at 6:00 p.m. with her next of kin present.

Being artist Ohguro Maki (37) posted about her feelings on her blog about how the two were the same age and a friend that she has respected from the bottom of her heart.  Sakai is now free from any pain from her sickness (cancer) and that she prays for her happiness in the other world.

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Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports