Japanese actor Miho Nakayama was found dead in a bathtub in her Tokyo home on Friday. She was 54.

Ms Nakayama found success as a singer in the 1980s and 90s – at the height of J-pop’s influence – but was best known for starring in the 1995 film Love Letter.

An acquaintance discovered Ms Nakayama on Friday after she failed to show up for work. They called the paramedics, who confirmed her death at the scene, local media reported.

The cause of her death is under investigation.

Ms Nakayama had originally been scheduled to perform a Christmas show in Osaka on Friday, but cancelled her appearance, citing poor health.

A statement on her website, published by her agency, confirmed her death on Friday.

“We are stunned by the sudden occurrence of this event,” the statement said, adding that her cause of death was not confirmed.

Ms Nakayama, who was one of Japan’s most popular teen idols in the 1980s, also enjoyed an illustrious acting career – most notably as the lead actor in Love Letter, a 1995 film about a grieving widow’s letters with a stranger.

The film became a massive box office hit and garnered critical acclaim both domestically and internationally. Ms Nakayama’s performance earned her several best actress awards.

Ms Nakayama leaves behind a son, who is in the custody of her ex-husband, musician Hitonari Tsuji.