日本名漫畫家逝世

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:

漫画家やなせたかしさん 死去

10月15日 15時20分

アニメや絵本などで人気の「アンパンマン」のシリーズで知られる漫画家のやなせたかしさんが１３日、心不全のため東京都内の病院で亡くなりました。
９４歳でした。

やなせさんは高知県の出身で、大学を卒業後百貨店の宣伝部に就職し、グラフィックデザイナーを経て漫画家としてデビューしました。
昭和３９年からＮＨＫで放送が始まったクイズ番組「まんが学校」で講師役を務め、上手にマンガを書く方法を毎回解説しました。
昭和４８年にやなせさんはあんパンでできた顔を持つ正義の味方「アンパンマン」が、宿敵「ばいきんまん」と戦いながら困った人を助ける内容の絵本を子ども向けの雑誌に掲載しました。
空腹の人がいれば自分の顔まで提供する優しいヒーロー像が人気を集め、昭和６３年に始まったテレビアニメシリーズ「それいけ！アンパンマン」は、ことしで２５年を迎える大ヒットとなり、子どもたちに長く愛されてきました。
また、作詞家としても活躍し、昭和３６年に作詞した「手のひらを太陽に」は、ＮＨＫの「みんなのうた」で放送されて反響を呼び、小学校の音楽の教科書にも載りました。
長年の功績で、平成３年には勲四等瑞宝章を受章しています。
また、去年からは日本漫画家協会の会長を務めています。
やなせさんは、各地で開かれるアンパンマン関連の催しに出席するなど、９０歳を超えても元気に活動を続けていましたが、ことし８月下旬、肝臓がんのため東京都内の病院に入院し、１３日、心不全で亡くなりました。
関係者によりますと、葬儀は近親者ですでに営まれ、後日、偲ぶ会を開くということです。

(試譯文)

Mr. Yanasetakashi, the cartoonist known for anime and picture-book etc. in the popular series the "Anpanman", passed away in a hospital in Tokyo on 13th because of the heart failure.

He was 94 years old.

Mr. Yanase came from the Kochi Prefecture. He found a job at the publicity department of a department store after his university graduation, and from a graphic designer he came out as a cartoonist.

He played the role of a lecturer in the quiz show "Comics School" which was broadcasted in NHK starting from Showa 39^th year, each time he could explain how to write good comics.

In Showa 48^th year Mr. Yanase published the picture-book in the children-oriented magazine which had the contents that the ally of justice "Anpanman", with a face made ​​of a pan sauce, helped people in trouble while fought with the old enemy "Baikinman".

When there were hungry people, Anpanman offered his presence and the gentle hero image collected popularity. The television anime series "Swerve and Go! Anpanman" which was started in Showa 63^rd year became a smashing success and this year was its 25th year, and had been loved for a long time by children.

Moreover, Yanase also played an active part as a songwriter. In Showa 36^th year he wrote the lyrics for a song "The Sun in the Palm" broadcasted by NHK in “Everybody’s Song" and had caused an echo, it even appeared in the elementary school musical textbook. In Heisei 3^rd year, because of his long distinguished services he was being awarded with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.

Moreover, from last year he served as the chairman of the Japan Cartoonists Association.

Mr. Yanase continued with activities vigorously, even when he was more then 90 years old, such as attending the Anpanman related event opened in various locations. But he was admitted into a hospital in Tokyo for liver cancer in late August this year, and passed away due to the heart failure on the 13th.

According to the people concerned it was said that the funeral was already performed by close relatives, and would hold a remembrance meeting later.

The passing away of Mr. Yanase is shocking news for many fans of the "Anpanman".