Former X JAPAN Bassist TAIJI Passes Away

Sawada Taiji, known as the former bassist of X JAPAN, has passed away on July 17th in Saipan. He was 45.

According to his blog, TAIJI had been visiting Saipan since May for vacation and work. On Monday, July 11th, TAIJI was arrested as he arrived at the airport of Saipan, an island part of the US in the western Pacific Ocean. According to the Saipan Tribune, TAIJI became unruly as the aircraft was descending in preparation for landing. When a flight attendant tried to calm him, he harmed the attendant. Immediately upon arriving at Saipan International Airport, he was arrested.

His initial court appearance hearing was supposed to have taken place on Thursday. On Thursday night, he allegedly tried to commit suicide while inside his detention cell by hanging himself with a bed sheet. He was rushed to the hospital. On July 17th, it was announced that TAIJI had passed away at the intensive care unit.

TAIJI was part of X JAPAN from 1986 to 1992. After that he was part of LOUDNESS, D.T.R., Cloud Nine, Taiji with Heaven's, The Killing Red Addiction, Taiji & Shu Project. In August 2010, TAIJI briefly reunited with X JAPAN for two live shows.

We would like to send our condolences to TAIJI's family and friends. May he rest in peace.