Here is my brief eulogy which I posted on JRR:
Taiji, former bassist of X Japan, Loudness and other projects passed away today after failing to recover from injuries sustained in an attempted hanging several days ago.
Taiji was detained by police a few days ago after causing a disturbance on an airplane heading towards Saipan. He was facing federal charges for his behaviour and attempted to take his own life while in custody. He was rushed to hospital alive but in a critical condition. There had been rumours that he was getting better, or had even woken up or spoke a few words - but it appears that this was not the case and that Taiji's injuries were too severe for him to survive in the end.
Taiji has had many personal and health problems over the years, and his troubles have been very well documented. He was a man who was often dealt a harsh hand in life but always kept strong and continued forward - overcoming the odds at times to keep on creating music.
Taiji was a member of X Japan's breakthrough lineup and was always very popular with fans. He was very much involved in the creative process behind the band and penned numerous popular compositions for the band before parting ways with them in 1992. He went on to join another huge Japanese rock band called Loudness, where he worked with them on one album. Personal and financial trouble followed his departure from Loudness and Taiji fell into obscurity for several years. In the late 90's Taiji emerged again and has since been involed in projects such as Cloud 9, DTR, The Killing Red Addiction and most recently, Taiji with Heavens. He reunited with his former band X Japan for two nights last year at X Japan's live performances at Yokohama Stadium.
This is a truly shocking development many X Japan fans - and information on the subject is still trickling through slowly from Japan. This is a confusing time and the fine details on the subject are no doubt going to change.
Rest in peace, Taiji Sawada