Katsuya Uechi: key obituary facts
Is Katsuya Uechi dead? Yes. Katsuya Uechi died on June 25, 2026, at age 67.
Cause of death: Katsuya Uechi's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Katsuya Uechi known for?
He was a Japanese chef and restaurateur (1959–2026).
More about Katsuya Uechi
Born: 1 January 1959.
Gender: male.
Occupation: cook.
Katsuya Uechi, a Japanese–American chef and restaurateur, died on June 25, 2026.
Born in 1959 in Okinawa, Japan, he trained in traditional Edomae sushi techniques in Okinawa and Osaka before moving to the United States in 1984. Uechi later co-founded Katsuya, the upscale sushi brand that helped introduce his style of Japanese–American fusion cooking to a wider audience.
He became particularly known for dishes such as spicy tuna on crispy rice, and in 2006 he partnered with SBE and designer Philippe Starck to open the first Katsuya in Brentwood, California. The brand went on to expand to locations in Hollywood, Las Vegas, Miami and the Middle East.