Departures of note

Nakata Button, born Fujinaga Akira in Kagawa Prefecture on April 12, 1948, was a leading Kamigata (Osaka-style) manzai comedian. He formed a comedy duo with Nakata Kausu in 1967, studying under the celebrated brothers Nakata Daimaru and Raketto and honing the rapid-fire conversational style distinctive to Osaka manzai. In the 1970s he broke convention by performing in denim instead of the usual suit, drawing huge female fan appeal and becoming a forerunner of the idol-style manzai performer.

Together with Kausu, Button helped found the Kamigata Manzai Association to nurture younger performers. He was awarded the top Kamigata Manzai Grand Prize three times and in 1995 received the Kamigata Comedy Grand Prize. After reporting fatigue and difficulty speaking in early 2019, he took a temporary hiatus and eventually canceled his contract with Yoshimoto Kogyo in February 2023, effectively retiring.

Despite his retirement, Button made a surprise appearance in October 2024 at a 55th anniversary performance of his friend Katsura Kobunshi, revealing he had been battling stage 4 lung cancer. He continued performing while coughing blood and had been told by doctors he had about three months to live. He died at age 78 on September 14, 2026, in Osaka.