TOKYO - Popular Japanese rock band Luna Sea's drummer, who went by the name of Shinya, has died after battling illness for years, its official website said Monday. He was 56.

A native of Kanagawa Prefecture, Shinya formed a band with a high school friend, a guitarist now known as Sugizo. The two, along with other members such as vocalist Ryuichi Kawamura, later teamed up as Luna Sea.

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