[Photo by: babymetal_official/Instagram]

BABYMETAL have announced that their guitarist, Mikio Fujioka, has died at the age of 36.

“The 'Little' Guitar Kami of #BABYMETAL's #Kamiband has passed away in the METAL GALAXIES. We hope that he is now with his GUITAR MASTER A.Holdsworth and enjoying an epic guitar session with him,” they shared in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Read more: BABYMETAL return home for a momentous occasion: SU-METAL’s ‘coming of age’

His wife announced his death through his Twitter account, explaining that he “fell from a height” on December 30 and died January 5 surrounded by members of his family.

Mikio had toured as part of BABYMETAL's Kami Band since 2013.

Our thoughts are with Fujioka's family and loved ones at this time.