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Noriko Sakai case gets more grim
Sat, August 8, 2009 (7:58am EDT)
The Noriko Sakai case continues to evolve by the hour. Within the past day, several new details came to light, including a DNA match linking Sakai to the drugs and the revelation that Sakai and her husband, Yuichi Takaso, had been living separately.

Takaso revealed during questioning that he and Sakai were living apart. Sakai and her son had an apartment in Minami-Aoyama, where police uncovered a small amount of stimulants and a pipe. Takaso told them that the pipe was not his, and acknowledged that Sakai was also using drugs. Police confirmed that by testing some DNA found on the pipe, which matched with Sakai. She will now surely be charged with both possession and use of illegal stimulants.

The unusual relationship between Sakai and Takaso has gathered attention as well. There are some indications that the friend who was taking care of the son may actually be Takaso's mistress. It is said that Sakai was aware of this, as she and the woman had long been friends. They continued their friendship after Takaso's affair, and the son had even developed an attachment to the woman, making her a natural choice for Sakai to leave the son with.

Sakai's activities before her disappearance have also been made public. On Monday after Takaso's arrest, she quickly visited her home to retrieve some luggage. She withdrew several hundred thousand yen from an ATM and purchased a large number of clothes, underwear, and toiletries, indicating that she planned for a long trip. It is not clear whether her shopping was before or after leaving her son in the care of the friend. But Sakai seemed to have left her home in a panic, as police stated that the drugs and paraphernalia in her home were left in an easily discoverable location.

Tokyo police have sent additional investigators to Yamanashi, where Sakai's cell phone signal was last detected on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Sakai made a call from a public pay phone to the friend, asking to hear her son's voice. However, Sakai did not inform the friend of her location.

As the case continues, other details about the actress are coming out. It appears that she recently was showing up to work late, and had unusual energy. Some who worked with her mentioned that she seemed to have lost weight.

other posts were saying that she had just surrendered herself to the police in Tokyo..
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meoinkie2 wrote:

other posts were saying that she had just surrendered herself to the police in Tokyo..

Gomen, you need to post links and/or other proof: Your comment is just hearsay.

Looks like she's been arrested: http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/08_23.html

Guess that's sort of a happy ending: at least she's alive.

I wonder if the son will be taken away from her. Kinda feel bad for him, sure he has famous/rich parents, but they both turned out to be idiots.

Jav_sol wrote:

I wonder if the son will be taken away from her.

If it were America they would: both are unfit to care for him.

i wonder how groink will feel about all this.
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niko2x wrote:

i wonder how groink will feel about all this.

I've sent out the groink signal. We may hear from him soon...
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Japanese drama trades (on hiatus)

Currently watching: Netflix stuff

What a pity,I liked her very much before

Wynter's Edit: Spam.

her songs are most downloaded now. Really liked her in Heaven's coins.

I came across this more nuanced article.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20090816pb.html

It gives also an insight on the gritty side of Japan's entertainment business and looks at Noriko Sakai's difficult past.

EstherM wrote:

I came across this more nuanced article. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20090816pb.html It gives also an insight on the gritty side of Japan's entertainment business and looks at Noriko Sakai's difficult past.

Good article... The entertainment industry in any country has this facade.

bmwracer wrote:

The entertainment industry in any country has this facade.

Unfortunately, very true.

Sakai Admits to Drug Use


Tuesday 27th October, 05:10 AM JST

TOKYO —
Prosecutors sought an 18-month prison term Monday for pop idol-turned-actress Noriko Sakai after she pleaded guilty at the Tokyo District Court to possessing and taking illegal drugs earlier this year.

Sakai, 38, is charged with smoking a stimulant drug on or around July 30 at a hotel on Amamioshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, which she visited with her family to see a solar eclipse, and with possessing 0.008 gram of the drug on Aug 3 at her home in Tokyo�fs Minamiaoyama district.

�f�fAs a big-name celebrity, the defendant�fs adverse effect on society is way too big,�f�f the prosecution said.

The case has been widely portrayed in the Japanese media as a betrayal by Sakai, known by her nickname �e�eNori-P,�f�f of her image as a pure and innocent idol whose popularity spread to other parts of Asia, including mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the early 1990s, and more recently as a good mother in a happy family.

�e�eI was offered the drug by my husband, but used it of my own free will,�f�f Sakai told the court in connection with her taking stimulants on the island in southern Japan, responding to questions by her defense. �e�eIt was extremely ill-advised behavior.�f�f

�e�eI really feel sorry,�f�f she said. �e�eI�fd like to cut off stimulant drugs at any price so as never to cause this kind of trouble again...I want to study about the work of caring for the elderly.�f�f

Sakai first took the stimulant about four years ago at the suggestion of her husband, Yuichi Takaso, and had continued using it from around the summer of last year, prosecutors said in an opening statement.

Asked if she is willing to seek a divorce, Sakai said in tears, �e�eI feel it is necessary to divorce and strive to rehabilitate myself.�f�f

The court decided to hand down a ruling for her on Nov 9.

^ Admitting that you have a problem is always the first step.

gaijinmark wrote:

, and with possessing 0.008 gram of the drug

That�Ls nothing , she would walk free in my country, not that I am a supporter of drug use (especially at that age and with kids).

EstherM wrote:

That�Ls nothing , she would walk free in my country, not that I am a supporter of drug use (especially at that age and with kids).

yeah true the offense is light but its just the fact that she is an actress so the media bashes her loadds,,,i feel sorry for her but she really shudnt hve accepted the drugs offered from that idiot of an husband he`s such a douche!! but yeah i just cant believed 6000 people qued to watch the court!!! only 20 seats available!!!

she was so cute in Hitotsu yane no shita
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she s increasing popularity in japan atm cus everyone feels sorry for her.
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her press conference

back in the good old days!

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