Veteran Japanese actor Ken Takakura died of lymphoid cancer in Tokyo on Nov 10 at age 83. [Photo/Agencies]

Veteran Japanese actor Ken Takakura died of lymphoid cancer in Tokyo on Nov 10, reports Japan's Kyodo News. Takakura was 83.

Takakura, born Goichi Oda in 1931,rose to stardom in China for his role in Kimi you funme no kawa o watare, also known as Zhuibu in Chinese (Manhunt), which was the first foreign film to have played in China after the "cultural revolution."

The film created a social stir in China at the time and Takakura became the idol for a generation of Chinese youth in the 1970s.

Takakura's acting skills were acknowleged by the Japanese media after starring in the film Shiawase no kiiroi hankachi (The Yellow Handkerchief.)

He has also worked with Chinese director Zhang Yimou in the film Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.