Noriko Sakai Scandal will hit the Big Screen!
November 25, 2009 by Toonleap
Filed under Japan, Live Action, News
It seems Nori-P scandal will hit the big screen pretty soon…
Film distributor Psydirec announced that shooting has already started for a movie titled “Setsuna,” a semi-documentary about the Sakai scandal. Masao Kasahara is directing the picture, which is based on the book “Sakai Noriko: Kakusareta Sugao” by entertainment reporter Masaru Nashimoto. The lead actress is said to be a former top star of the Takarazuka’s Snow Troupe, though the specific name has not yet been publicly revealed.
“Setsuna” is expected to be released in January 2010.
Source: Sankei Sports via Tokyograph
It seems Noriko Sakai scandal will be on public’s mind…a little bit longer.
Noriko Sakai accepted at University!
Convicted Noriko Sakai is out of work and now She will deal a new challenge…The University!
Pop idol-turned-actress Noriko Sakai, who was convicted of stimulant drug use and possession, has been accepted at a university in Gunma Prefecture to study welfare, the university said Tuesday.
The 38-year-old has passed the entrance examination for the social work department at Souzou Gakuen University (The University of Creation; Art, Music & Social Work) and has already completed admission procedures.
She will not attend classes but will study lessons the university offers through a computer, university officials said.
Sakai, who is now out of work, said during her recent trial at the Tokyo District Court that she wanted to study nursing care and promised never to use stimulant drugs again. The court sentenced her to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, on Monday.
Source: Kyodo via BreitBart
Now, thats an interesting turn of events for Nori-P. A path for a new life probably begins now.
Noriko Sakai Convicted!
Noriko Sakai was finally convicted for Drug Use charges, here are the details:
Actress Noriko Sakai was handed a suspended sentence Monday in a Tokyo District Court ruling in her trial over drug use and possession.
The court handed the 38-year-old actress, whose real name is Noriko Takaso, an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for three years, for violating the Stimulants Control Law.
Judge Hiroaki Murayama said it could be accepted that Sakai used illegal drugs habitually and had a certain level of dependence on them, adding that her criminal responsibility was “certainly not light.”
In giving a reason for handing the actress a suspended sentence, the judge said, “She has made a decision to break away from using drugs, and is considering divorcing her husband, who recommended that she use them.”
After handing down the ruling, the judge told the actress, “I imagine that as a longtime entertainer, you have played roles in many dramas and films, but regrettably, this case is a fact. You probably sense the weight of this, but I hope that you will not give in and will make a new start, severing yourself from drugs.”
Sakai appeared in court wearing a pantsuit with a black blouse and clutching a white handkerchief. When the body of the ruling was read out, she looked forward toward the judge, barely moving.
When the judge told Sakai, “If you commit another crime, then the suspension of your sentence will be annulled, and a further penalty will be handed down on top of this 18-month sentence,” and added, “Your life from now onwards is extremely important,” the actress nodded.
The judge later asked the actress to read out the sentence, and she clearly said, “One year, six months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years.” The judge then said, “Take care not to forget this,” and Sakai bowed deeply to the judge and public prosecutors before leaving the courtroom.
The actress was convicted of inhaling stimulants with her husband Yuichi Takaso, 41, at a hotel on Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, when they went to the island to witness a total solar eclipse around July 30. She was also charged with being in possession of 0.008 grams of stimulants at her condominium in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on Aug. 3. The former actress’s husband is also on trial, facing charges of violating the law.
The ruling said it was clear that the actress had an attachment to drugs, based on the fact that she used them while on a trip and stored the drugs that were left over for further use.
Sakai stated that she had first taken illegal drugs about four years ago after her husband offered them to her, and from about last summer had used them between one time and several times a month. Based on this and the fact that she admitted having suggested using drugs, the court rejected lawyers’ claim that her use was not habitual.
Sakai’s husband was first questioned by police on a street in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Aug. 2. He alerted the actress and she arrived at the scene, but she later disappeared. The ruling said Sakai was vicious for having fled in an attempt to avoid her use of stimulants being discovered. However, the court noted that the actress had reflected on her actions and had been punished by society, being sacked by her talent agency.
Sakai admitted in full to the charges against her and told the court, “I always have a sense of regret and self-searching, wondering why I couldn’t stop using them.”
Source: Mainichi, Japan Today
The only thing I could say is that the whole case was a media circus and it affected Noriko Sakai´s life and career in a bad way. There should be a lesson to learn for this.
Noriko Sakai Tearful Apology!
Noriko Sakai was released from prison after paying her bail. The Press was there for that moment.
Noriko Sakai, a 38-year-old former pop idol indicted for possession and use of stimulant drugs, offered a tearful apology to her fans in a press conference Thursday shortly after her release on bail from a police cell.
‘‘To my fans in Japan and overseas who have supported me until now, and the people in my agency who have worked for me…I am truly, truly sorry,’’ Sakai said. She declined to answer any questions. After the press conference, Sakai headed to a hospital where she will stay for some time to avoid the media blitz, officials of her former agency Sun Music said.
The brief press conference followed her release earlier in the day from the Tokyo police station where she had been confined since her arrest on Aug 8.
Her husband, Yuichi Takaso, 41, was freed on bail the previous day following his indictment on similar charges.
The two are prohibited from meeting unless lawyers are present.
Sakai, who is accused of possessing the illegal drugs at her Tokyo home and using them at a hotel in Kagoshima Prefecture earlier this summer, is scheduled to have a first hearing on Oct 26 at the Tokyo District Court.
Source: Japan Today / Photos: Mainichi
I really feel bad for Noriko. She had a nice career and everything is shattered because of this. Let’s hope the best for her.
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