Rina Matsuno (松野 莉奈, Matsuno Rina, 16 July 1998 – 8 February 2017)[2] was a Japanese singer, model, actress, and tarento who was a member of the idol groupShiritsu Ebisu Chugaku.
Career
Matsuno was scouted into the entertainment industry in Tokyo in Omotesandō Avenue when she was in the first grade of elementary school.[3][4] She started as an actress in 2006 in Shimokita Series and later in the same year in Yakusha Damishii. In 2007 came her big screen debut in the movie Apartment 1303. Another movie, Tōdai, followed in 2008.[5] In 2009–2010, she was in her agency Stardust Promotion's cheerleader-themed idol group Mini Cheer Bears [ja].[citation needed][6]
In February 2010, she joined the girl idol groupShiritsu Ebisu Chugaku.[1] In May 2012, she debuted with the group on a major record label.[4] Matsuno's Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku "attendance number" (a number assigned to all members in the group) was nine and her "image colour" was blue.[4]
In 2013, she starred in the horror movie The Joker Game: Escape [ja] alongside fellow Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku member Hirono Suzuki (who played the main protagonist).[7] She was also a model for Larme [ja], a Japanese fashion magazine for women.[8]
Illness and death
She died on 8 February 2017 at the age of 18.[9] Matsuno was unable to perform at her group's concert the day before due to a health issue and was taking medical treatment at home in Tokyo. In the early morning on February 8, her condition suddenly worsened. At around 5 am, her parents called the emergency services. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.[10][8][11] It is presumed that she died from an illness.[12] In her last post on Instagram on February 6, she said that she had returned from a family trip to Hakone.[13]
Sankei Sports reported on February 10 that according to Rina Matsuno's agency (Stardust Promotion), "lethal arrhythmia" is suspected as the cause of her death.[14] All upcoming concerts and events were cancelled, and the group went into a period of mourning with the farewell event being held on February 25.[15]
