BABYMETAL Guitarist Passes Away Aged 36

BABYMETAL have confirmed the passing of guitarist Mikio Fujioka. 

As Blabbermouth reports, Fujioka's wife first announced the news on Twitter, claiming the 36-year-old fell from an observation deck on 30 December and passed away on 5 January after his condition deteriorated.

Fujioka performed with the KAMI BAND which backed the hugely-popular pop-metal group.

"The 'Little' Guitar Kami of #BABYMETAL ‘s #Kamiband has passed away in the METAL GALAXIES," a statement posted on BABYMETAL's social media handles reads.

"We hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER A.Holdsworth and enjoying an epic guitar session with him."

See the full statement below.

Though formed in 2010, Fujioka joined BABYMETAL in 2013.‬