[All] [2025 Latest] What happened to Yamada Yuki's father, Yamada Kazutoshi? The truth about his illness and his final letter? A summary of the heartbreaking father-son story

Kazutoshi Yamada, the father of actor Yuki Yamada and former professional baseball player, has passed away at the age of 60. We provide a detailed explanation of his battle with cancer, his final message, the immediate reaction to the broadcast of "Shabekuri 007," and family memories not mentioned on the show. What type of cancer did his father suffer from? We offer a detailed analysis, including speculation.

 

 

table of contents 1. What happened to Yuki Yamada's father, Kazutoshi Yamada? 2. A surprise message from his father revealed on the show 3. The publicly announced details of his battle with illness and the path to his death 4. What kind of cancer did my father have? Guess the location and type of cancer 5. Changes in parent-child relationships and the final reunion 6. Reactions from fans and the baseball world 7. Q&A: Frequently asked questions about Kazutoshi Yamada

 

1. What happened to Yuki Yamada's father, Kazutoshi Yamada?

On August 16, 2025, former professional baseball player Kazutoshi Yamada, who played for the Chunichi Dragons and Hiroshima Carp, passed away at the age of 60. The news was made public on August 26. His son, actor Yuki Yamada, posted a message on Instagram titled "To everyone who supported my father during his lifetime," revealing for the first time that his father had been battling cancer for four years. The length of his battle with cancer was not made public, and the family kept it a closely guarded secret, so the news of his death came as a surprise to the public. A surprise message from his father was featured on the show "Shabekuri 007," broadcast shortly afterward, eliciting comments from viewers such as "It's so heartbreaking" and "The timing of the broadcast is unfortunate."

 

 

 

 

2. A surprise message from his father revealed on the show

 

On "Shabekuri 007," Yamada Yuki talked about his memories from his school days and his relationship with his strict yet warm father, and the show had a surprise prepared for him.

That was the message from his father, Kazutoshi Yamada, who is currently battling illness.

 

The letter read,

 

"I climbed the stairs one by one and started to make my own place."

"I think it's amazing that they've been able to fight through this tough world."

"It's amazing that you've continued on the path you chose to this day."

 

The father, who usually didn't give much praise, had these warm words for his son.

 

Yuki is,

"Recently, he has started to praise me a little bit."
"I'm glad to hear it again."

She said this with tears in her eyes.

 

However, this message was written when his father was already nearing the end of his illness. Many viewers were moved to tears by this fact, thinking, "Was that his last letter?"

 

 

 

 

3. The publicly announced details of his battle with illness and the path to his death

 

Yamada Kazutoshi had been suffering from cancer for the past four years, but he had barely told anyone, even his closest friends, because he did not want to show them how weak he was getting.

 

Yamada Yuki said on the radio show "All Night Nippon"

 

"My father passed away without saying goodbye to anyone."

"I wondered if it was okay to let him pass away without saying anything to the team members or the fans."

 

He talks about his conflict.

 

Furthermore, doctors had told Kazutoshi that he had six months to a year left to live, but he continued to fight for four years.
The family was forced to prepare themselves many times, and each time they were told, "Don't rely on your mother."

 

 

 

 

4. What kind of cancer did my father have? Guessing the location of the cancer

In conclusion, the type of cancer Yamada Yuki's father was suffering from has not been officially disclosed.
Therefore, it is impossible to make a definitive statement, but based on the conditions of "four years of illness" and "age 60," it is possible to make a medically based guess as to the type of cancer that is generally likely to occur.

 

The table below lists cancers that are more likely to occur in people in their 50s and 60s and often result in long-term illness.

■ Common cancers in people in their 50s and 60s and their characteristics

Type of cancer	Progression Speed	Possibility of fighting the disease for more than four years
Colorectal cancer	Relatively slow	Treatment can prolong life even after metastasis
Prostate cancer	Very slow	Control for several years possible
lung cancer	Although it is early, there are cases where life has been extended due to advances in treatment technology.	Depending on the condition, long-term illness
stomach cancer	medium	Chemotherapy may prolong life in some cases
Liver cancer	Recurrence is likely, but long-term treatment is possible	Alcohol and hepatitis are factors

 

There is speculation online that it could be liver cancer. This is based on the common assumption that "history of drinking → liver cirrhosis → liver cancer" based on the anecdote that Yamada Kazutoshi liked to drink. However, this is merely speculation and has no definitive proof.

 

 

 

 

5. Changes in parent-child relationships and the final reunion

In 2022, the Yamada family appeared on "All Night Nippon," where their usually quiet father became unusually talkative. Yuki said, "It was a great memory," and from that day on, the family started talking more.

 

Five days before his death, Yuki visited his parents' home with his wife, Nanase Nishino. He felt like "it was his last face, and I didn't want to see him," but his father said "See you later" and sent him off. After that, he quietly passed away, as if to witness the moment when all the family members were together.

 

 

 

 

6. Reactions from fans and the baseball world

 

After the news of his death was reported, many people in the baseball world and fans expressed their condolences.

Former Chunichi Dragons pitcher Masa Yamamoto paid tribute to him, saying, "We were classmates and lived in the same dormitory. I'm very grateful."

 

"The tears won't stop"

"I wanted to talk to my parents more."

"He was a really strong father."

 

There were many voices saying this.

 

Yuki himself also appeared on the radio.

"I wanted to talk more."
She said with tears in her eyes,
"I want you to talk to your parents as much as you can now."

He called out to his listeners.

 

 

 

 

7. Q&A: Frequently asked questions about Kazutoshi Yamada

Q1. Why didn't Yamada Yuki's father make his illness public?

A. Kazutoshi himself had a strong desire not to show his weakening condition, so his family did not make it public.

 

 

Q2. Has the type of cancer been revealed?

A. There has been no official announcement. There have been articles and fan speculation, but it is not confirmed information.

 

 

Q3. When did he die?

A. August 16, 2025. He was only 60 years old.

 

 

Q4. Was the letter about the program written before he died?

A. Yes. It was written while he was battling the illness, and it was broadcast immediately after the news of his death, which brought tears to the eyes of viewers.

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