The family of Hideyuki Tanaka, a beloved izakaya chef at UE Square, was reunited with him for the first time in two years under the most tragic of circumstances. His wife, Reiko Tanaka, and their two young sons, aged four and seven, flew from Japan upon hearing the devastating news of his collapse.
Hideyuki, 35, suffered a brain hemorrhage after a gym workout, and despite being declared brain dead, his heart continued to beat. When his family arrived at the hospital, Reiko was confronted with the painful reality of seeing her husband lying motionless in the ICU.
For their sons, too young to fully grasp the gravity of the situation, the scene was overwhelming. In an effort to comfort them, Reiko played their favorite songs from her phone, bringing a moment of peace to the boys. Once calm, they approached their father’s bedside and performed a little dance — a gesture they often used to bring a smile to his face.
Reiko, fighting back tears, said her final farewell. Just an hour and a half later, Hideyuki’s heart stopped beating, ending 63 hours of uncertainty since his brain death.
The loss was a tremendous blow to his family and friends. Daisuke Toyoma, the owner of MoboMoga, where Hideyuki worked, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook. The chef, with more than 20 years of culinary experience, had been on the brink of an exciting new chapter — he was just days away from signing a contract for his new restaurant.
Hideyuki’s body was cremated on Thursday evening, leaving behind a legacy of love, skill, and an enduring impact on all who knew him. His passing not only marks the loss of a talented chef but also of a husband and father who was deeply cherished by his family.