KYODO NEWS - Jun 30, 2017 - 21:46 | All, Lifestyle

The husband of Japanese television personality Mao Kobayashi, who died last week from breast cancer, on Friday began posting English translations of his wife's blog about her battle with the illness.

Kobayashi won international acclaim when she was featured on the BBC's 100 Women list of inspirational and influential women.

She was credited for breaking her silence about suffering with breast cancer, and for the blog that she wrote on her experience with the illness, which spread to her lungs and bones.



(Supplied image)

Her husband, kabuki star Ichikawa Ebizo, said on his own blog that he had noticed the international interest in his wife's story, and felt translating her posts might help fellow sufferers and their familes.

He described her as an admirable wife, and said she had moved people's hearts around the world.

Kobayashi battled cancer for about two and a half years before dying at the age of 34 on June 22.

Ichikawa Ebizo's blog post from June 30, 2017

Announcement

I heard that people, not only in Japan but also overseas, are interested in Mao and her blog.

I thought if Mao's daily blog entries were translated into English, they can be read by people around the world, and it might be of help, albeit a little, to people like us, those who are suffering from breast cancer, and their families around the world.

I believe this must be one of the things Mao wanted to achieve through her blog.

I will begin with posting (English translations) little by little everyday on Mao's blog.

I am preparing a new blog, so when it is ready, I will start posting there.

Despite being ill, she moved the hearts of people around the world.

She was indeed an admirable wife.

Thank you for your continued support.

I will start trying tonight.

I hope Mao's thoughts will reach people around the world....