TOKYO, Aug 20, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese supermodel Sayoko Yamaguchi, who was one of the first Asians to grace the fashion world's top catwalks, has died at age 57, domestic media said Monday, August 20th.

Sayoko Yamaguchi - Photo : Yoshikazu Tsuno /AFP

The model, who made her mark on the industry in the 1970s, died on August 14 from acute pneumonia, the reports said.

Yamaguchi, remembered for her shiny straight black hair with the fringe cut right above her eyes, made her Paris debut in 1972, and later strutted her stuff in New York and other major Western fashion capitals.

In 1977, she was named by Newsweek magazine as one of the top six models in the world.

In her later years, Yamaguchi performed on stage and in movies, and also designed stage costumes.