Japanese rocker MANA 'CHINA' NISHIURA has died in a car accident in New Jersey.

The former Shonen Knife drummer was touring with new band DMBQ when the accident took place last Friday (04NOV05).

Shonen Knife released Genki Shock, their latest album featuring Nishiura, in Japan last June (04). An American version may be released before Christmas (25DEC05).