couldn't find a mainstream media outlet covering his passing, but with Univ of Tokyo colleagues confirming his death on Twitter, it is all but certain.

His early death was undoubtedly brought upon by the massive stress he was put under during his years of court battles which were brought upon him for his role in "assisting copyright infringement". He finally won a not guitly verdict in 2011.

Things were finally starting to look up for him. He was back at his old nest (Tokyo U) as a special instructor since 2012/12. He was a man who could still make considerable contributions the field of computing. Then this.

RIP.

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%87%91%E5%AD%90%E5%8B%87_%2...