Now. If anyone has been keeping up with the news in Japan, it is likely you will have heard a story about Noriko Sakai. If you are interested in Japanese music, then you will have come across her pseudonym, Nori P.
She is, as you can see, an attractive woman. However, this has not stopped her from sinking into controversy.
This story is also an excellent warning for anyone who thinks it might be a good idea to try to use drugs here in Japan!
Nori P was formally arrested on August 7th this summer after a 6 day man-hunt. Her "professional surfer" husband having been arrested after being found in possession of stimulant drugs. Takaso was searched by the police, and they found drugs in his underwear. Noriko was informed to attend the police station to submit to a urine test. However, she vanished with her son.
Later, she left her son with her friend, bought some clean underwear, and vanished for 6 days.
Whilst she was missing, the police searched her apartment, and found 0.008g of stimulant drugs wrapped in foil in her apartment.
Noriko Sakai has led an interesting life. Her father was involved with the Yakuza, though they tried to keep her away from that side of their life. At the age of 14 she made her musical debut, and then at 16, broke through.
She became a hugely popular star, with fans all over Asia. She built a strong image as a cute singer, and drew many fans with her wholesome girl-next-door looks.
However, as she grew older, it proved increasingly hard to keep her cute young image, and the fight got tougher and tougher. Then she met her future husband, Yuichi Takaso. A self professed professional surfer.
From then, rumours began to abound about her husband "leading her astray" so to speak. As work for her began to dry up, she began to branch out. Making her DJing debut in Sapporo, and upon moving to the clubs in tokyo, she began to display erratic behaviour.
The internet in Japan began to buzz with rumours of her drug use. With most of the blame being laid at her husbands feet. And to be honest, it really looks likely that he IS to blame!
After giving birth to 2 kids, Noriko slowly began to re-work her image and re-launch herself as a celebrity mum. However, the rumours refused to go away. She has been dogged by them ever since her marriage to her husband.
She did finally admit to using stimulants since 2008, though previous staffers of hers suggested that the use goes back much further.
So, upon her arrest, she quickly apologised to the public for her loss of face, and for breaking their trust in her. As is common in Japan, and its judicial service with its 99% success rate in convictions! Before she was arraigned for trial, we witnessed a very public apology when she came before the press, and then later, in a conference, when the tears flowed.
So, now we have the court case. Unlike in the west when a court case could last a long time, this should be over in a week or so! She has admitted to possession of stimulants, so the case is not about finding her guilty. She has admitted to it. It was discovered in tests on her hair.
So, now we have the argument over her punishment. Given that Noriko has lost a lot of her commercial activities, including having her fashion line completely pulled. Her rebranding has suffered a huge setback, and will take years to fix.
The prosecution service wants her to serve 18 months in Jail, whilst the defending legal team argues for an 18 month suspended sentence, and community service.
The level of interest in this case here in Japan has been immense. It receives regular airtime on all the "wide shows" and the nightly news round up shows. Every hint, every suggestion, every snippet that can be gleaned from Japans notoriously secretive justice system is analysed and dissected every way possible, and then dissected some more! On the opening day of her trial, well over 6,000 people lined up to take part in a lottery for 1 of the 20 seats open to the public.
What has really "disappointed" some in the media (taking their moral high horse, like they do) is the fact that Nori P did take part in an anti-narcotics campaign back in 1993, and she has been involved with promoting the new lay judge system that the Japanese have introduced.
Well, a judgement will be made soon.
Let it be a warning. A tiny amount of drugs in Japan really is an unwise thing to do. The legal system will be more than happy to throw the kitchen sink at you. With the rest of the kitchen attached!
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