Japan pop star's husband gets suspended jail term
The surfer husband of disgraced Japanese pop star Noriko Sakai received a suspended two-year jail term Friday for illegal drug use, weeks after his wife was also found guilty, court officials said.
The couple's drug scandal, reportedly over methamphetamine use, has sparked frenzied media coverage for months and at times saw thousands of people line up for only dozens of visitors' seats in the Tokyo District Court.
The court ruled that Yuichi Takaso, a 41-year-old professional surfer, illegally used stimulants in early August, and that he encouraged Sakai to follow suit. His jail sentence was suspended for four years.
"The accused encouraged his wife to use (drugs) with him, which is vicious," said presiding judge Masahiro Hieda, according to Jiji Press.
"Your life to a considerable extent now depends on whether you will be able to quit drugs. Do you understand?" the judge asked Takaso, who then bowed and replied: "Yes."
Takaso's arrest resulted in drug charges against Sakai, shocking the Japanese public which saw her grow from a teenage pop idol to become an actress in high-rating television shows and films.
Adding to the drama, Sakai, who is also well known in China, Taiwan and South Korea, went on the run for almost a week before turning herself in to police on August 8 and admitting habitual drug use.
Sakai was handed a suspended jail term of 18 months for illegal drug use on November 9 and has since avoided the media.
She has reportedly said she plans to divorce Takaso and is now taking