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'Japanese Beethoven' Admits Fraud

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Mamoru Samuragochi, a celebrated Japanese composer known as the "Japanese Beethoven" because he composed some of the country's most well known music after losing his hearing, is sending shockwaves throughout his country on Wednesday after admitting to using a ghostwriter. (Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images)
Mamoru Samuragochi, a celebrated Japanese composer known as the "Japanese Beethoven" because he composed some of the country's most well known music after losing his hearing, is sending shockwaves throughout his country on Wednesday after admitting to using a ghostwriter. (Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images)

Mamoru Samuragochi is known as the "Japanese Beethoven" because he composed some of the country's most well-known music after losing his hearing. But it turns out he didn't really write much of that music.

Samuragochi admitted on Wednesday he had a ghostwriter. That ghostwriter is now coming forward, and is suggesting Samuragochi might not even be deaf.

The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson from Tokyo.

Guest

  • Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, Tokyo correspondent for BBC News.

This segment aired on February 7, 2014.

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