The Ogasawara Islands Coast Guard reported that Yoshinobu Nishizaki passed away after falling from a boat. He was 75.

Nishizaki was aboard the research boat Yamato, which was anchored in Futami Harbor. Guard Ship Southern Cross responded to a distress call, and brought Nishizaki into its onboard hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to the announcement, Nishizaki was wearing a wetsuit to go swimming when he fell from the vessel and drowned.

Nishizaki was the producer for last year's film, Space Battleship Yamato Resurrection, which was the first entry to the series in twenty six years. In addition, Nishizaki was credted as a co-creator of this year's live-action adaptation of , which opens in Japan next month.

We at Anime Dream offer our deepest condolences to Nishizawa's family and friends.