Ai Iijima

Former pornstar Ai Iijima was found dead at her apartment in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, less than two years after she announced her retirement from show business, police said.

Iijima, 36, was found lying in the living room in casual clothes and with no injuries, police said, adding they believe she either died of an illness or committed suicide. An autopsy will be conducted.

Her body was found around 3:15 p.m. by an acquaintance who paid a visit to the flat after Iijima had stopped responding to communications from her several days ago. The acquaintance had the resident manager open her flat on the 21st floor of the building.

Iijima gained popularity in the 90s as a variety show host and for other roles. Her autobiographical novel "Platonic Sex" published in 2000, became a bestseller and was made into a movie as well as a TV drama.

In 2006, she made public that her health was not good due to a kidney disease. She announced her retirement in March last year, saying, "It is impossible to survive in the entertainment industry if I can not find my goal and dream, and cannot keep trying".