Funeral of Japanese Singer Hideki Saijo Held

May 27, 2018

Tokyo- The funeral of Japanese singer Hideki Saijo, who died on May 16 at age 63, took place in Tokyo on Saturday, with same-generation singers Hiromi Go and Goro Noguchi, who were together called "Shin Gosanke," or the New Big Three among male pop stars, delivering speeches.

"Remembering you, I can't stop crying," Noguchi, 62, said in his speech. "You were special."

"Neither I nor Hiromi can replace you, but we'll keep singing on your behalf," he told Saijo's portrait. Noguchi concluded his speech by saying, "Thank you."

"Hideki's songs and smile will remain deep in people's memories," said Go, also 62 years old.

Saijo's other friends, including singer Saori Yuki, comedian Korokke and former pop idol Hidemi Ishikawa, as well as some 10,000 fans also came to say goodbye to the iconic musician, whose "Young Man," the Japanese version of U.S. disco group Village People's "Y.M.C.A.," made a mega hit.

When a wagon carrying Saijo's coffin left the funeral hall in Minato Ward, one of his songs was played and sung by the crowd of fans. Jiji Press