Koumi mayor found dead after mushroom-picking trip in Nagano
In short
Hiroshi Kurosawa (黒澤弘), the 71-year-old mayor of Koumi in Nagano Prefecture, was found collapsed in woodland on October 9 after going mushroom picking alone. His death was confirmed after he was taken to hospital, and police are investigating the cause.
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Hiroshi Kurosawa (黒澤弘), the 71-year-old mayor of Koumi in Nagano Prefecture, was found collapsed in woodland on October 9 after failing to return from a solo mushroom-picking trip. He was taken to hospital, where his death was confirmed. Police are investigating the circumstances and cause of death, according to reports by Nippon TV News, Yomiuri Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun. [ 3 , 4 , 13 ]
Kurosawa entered woodland in Koumi around noon on October 9 to pick mushrooms, police said. When he had not returned home after 17:00, relatives searched the area and found him collapsed. Yomiuri and Asahi reported that a relative contacted the emergency services around 17:20. Nippon TV News said firefighters took him to a hospital in Minamisaku District after receiving the call. [ 3 , 4 , 13 ]
The discovery site was on a wooded slope, and Kurosawa had scratches on his body, according to Nippon TV News and Yomiuri. Tokyo Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun and Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported that there were no prominent external injuries apart from scratches. Yomiuri said police were examining the possibility of an accident or illness. The town told Yomiuri that Kurosawa had gone to work on the morning of October 9 and then taken leave. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Kurosawa was first elected mayor in 2018 and was serving his third term, according to Tokyo Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun. Asahi reported that he had previously been a construction company president and chaired the town's tourism association, and that he won a third term uncontested in February this year. Livedoor News said the town planned a meeting on the afternoon of October 10 to consider its response. [ 6 , 7 , 11 , 13 ]
Why it matters
Kurosawa was serving his third term as mayor after first winning election in 2018. The town planned an October 10 afternoon meeting to consider its response, according to Livedoor News.
Key facts
- The 71-year-old Koumi mayor was found collapsed in woodland on October 9. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 11 , 13 ]
- He entered the mountains alone around noon to pick mushrooms. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 13 ]
- Relatives searched for him after he had not returned by after 17:00. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 13 ]
- His death was confirmed at hospital. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 13 ]
- Police are investigating the cause of death. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 13 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The cause of death. Police are investigating, including the possibility of an accident or illness.