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TOKYO: The high-profile drug case involving Japanese pop star Noriko Sakai and her husband Takaso Yuichi took a new twist on Wednesday.
While attending a court hearing for three counts of drug use and possession, Yuichi admitted to two of the three charges and said he lied in one of his statements in order to protect Sakai from being implicated in the case.
Yuichi faces three counts of drugs use and possession for consumption of stimulants at a public park in Aoyama on August 2; possession of 0.817 grams of stimulants in his car in Shibuya on August 3, and possession of 0.097 grams of stimulants found in his home in Chiba on August 9.
The self-proclaimed professional surfer – despite the Japanese media exposing he did not officially register with Japan Pro Surfing Association – pleaded guilty to the last two charges but pointed out that the first charge was incorrect as he had actually consumed the drugs at home.
"I wasn't taking drugs in the washroom at the public car park," he explained. "Sakai had not been arrested yet so I wanted to conceal the fact that she was a drug addict."
When asked why he hid the stimulants in his car, Yuichi said that Sakai would consume them whenever he was not at home.
According to Yuichi, he got the drugs from an Iranian, only known as Anthony. And since Sakai has never had contacts with the dealer, or any knowledge on the amount to consume, the pair ended up consuming the drugs together on a frequent basis.
Since the couple was arrested two months ago, the case has been a major talking point in Japan and attracted plenty of media attention. During Wednesday's hearing, a crowd of more than 1,600 turned up, even though the sitting capacity could only allow a maximum of 20 people.
- CNA/fn/yb
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