As a former guitarist of the disbanded group "X-Japan", Hide (33, real name Hideto Matsumoto ) committed suicide by hanging neck on May 2, 98. At 6:30am, Hide went back home at South Hemp Cloth Apartment after he had been drunk all night with his younger brother. He then went to sleep. One hour later, his family felt strange and his girl-friend opened his bedroom's door and discovered him uncouscious, hanging by the neck on his bedroom door. Hide was sent to hospital immediately and was in coma. After emergency treatment, Hide was announced to die at 9:00am. At the time of death, hide was wearing a running shirt and trunks. The towel used in the suicide was ripped in half lengthwise with the top and the bottom ends tied together hooked onto the bedroom door. He body was found in a sitting position hanging from the the towel around his neck. The woman who discovered him and her friend were in another room. There was no suicide note. The body was claimed by later in the day by his younger brother and parents.

The police were investigating the motive of his suicide because Hide didn't leave any message even he planned to die.

As a good friend of Hide, Yoshiki was hurry back to Japan from L.A on May 4 immediately to address the condolences in Hide's funeral. Yoshiki said Hide was a sober-minded person and always gave him some advice. Sometimes, Hide would lose his way when he was in various pressure but would keep calm quickly and helped other members to solve their problems. Their relationship just like elder brother and younger brother and they talked everything, such as their band, music, life and etcs. So, Yoshiki cannot believe that Hide will commit suicide. Yoshiki felt shocked when he received the bad news of Hide. Finally, he persuaded Hide's fans to calm down and not to commit suicide after Hide's died.

With his mother's requested, Yoshiki, Toshi, Pata, Heath and Taiji (ex-X Japan's bassist who left the band at 1993) performed "Forever Love" at Hide's funeral. Some rock bands such as Luna sea, Glay, Shazna also attended the funeral.

Around 12,000 fans have visited the Honganji temple for Matsumoto's wake Wednesday. So on May 7, to keep all things in order, police sent helicopters, boats and about 100 officers with others 170 private security guards to keep fans from disrupting traffic.

Up to now, two fans committed suicide by hanging neck, the same method as Hide used. Two male's fans died by car accident when they were on the way from Osaka to Tokyo. Another girl jumped from a bridge on Monday night but survived. Also, one cut her wrist with a knife. As a whole, about 197 people had been treated at an emergency aid station set up at the temple and 56 had been rushed to a hospital because of emotion collapse and the 82 degree heat on May 7.

To all Hide's fans, please treasure your life, don't commite suicide. Remember there is life, there is hope!