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Biography
Infobox musical artist| name = nihongo|Noriko Sakai|????|| image = Sakai Noriko-groink2000.png| caption = Sakai at a photo shoot in Hong Kong during her 1998 Work out fine tour| background = solo_singer| birth_name =| alias = NORI-P| birth_date = Birth date and age|1971|2|14|mf=y| origin = Fukuoka Prefecture , Japan| Talents = Singing, acting| genre = Pop music|Pop | Occupation(s) = Singer , Actress | years_active = 1986–present| website =nihongo| Noriko Sakai |?? ??|Sakai Noriko|born February 14, 1971 is a Japanese Pop music|pop singer and actress. She was born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka , Fukuoka Prefecture , Japan. She married nihongo|Yuichi Takaso|?? ??|Takaso Yuichi in 1998, and divorced on July 31, 2010.cite web|url= http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100731a9.html|title=Sakai, husband get divorced|publisher=Japan Times|date=2010-07-31|accessdate=2010-07-31 She and Yuichi have one son, born in 1999.cite news |title=Arrest warrant issued for missing Japan actress Noriko Sakai, son found safe |agency= The Canadian Press |date=August 7, 2009 She is particularly popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Her best-selling single to date is nihongo||?????| Aoi Usagi |"blue rabbit".
Sakai released her debut single, "Otoko no Ko ni Naritai" (????????, I Want to Be a Boy ) on February 5, 1987, nine days short of her sixteenth birthday. Over 40,000 copies of the single were sold. In the early years of her career, she used the nickname NORI-P (????), although around the mid-1990s she started to distance herself from it.ja iconcite web|url= http://www.sunmusic.org/noriko/ |title=Sakai Noriko Official Site (via archive.org)|publisher=Sun Music|date=2008-02-08|accessdate=2009-09-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080208121047/ http://www.sunmusic.org/noriko/ |archivedate = 2008-02-08ja iconcite web|url= http://i-noriko.net/ |title=Hong Kong Sakai Noriko Alliance (via archive.org)|date=2008-01-29|accessdate=2009-09-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080129173850/ http://i-noriko.net/ |archivedate = 2008-01-29ja iconcite web|url= http://www.pprikorino.com/ |title=PP rikorino HP (via archive.org)|date=2008-01-05|accessdate=2009-09-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080105061244/ http://www.pprikorino.com/ |archivedate = 2008-01-05
Sakai recently re-emerged in the headlines again for a drug scandal in August 2009. As long as she stays crime-free until November 2012, she will not serve any more time in prison. In the mean time, Sakai is currently studying welfare and nursing care.cite web|url= http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/welcome-from-norip|title=Welcome from Nori-P|publisher=JapanToday|date=2009-11-27|accessdate=2009-11-27 In April 2011, a Chinese government-sponsored anti-drug campaign was introduced, with Sakai appearing as the campaign's representative.
Drug scandal
On August 2, 2009, Sakai's husband, Yuichi Takaso allegedly inhaled a small amount of stimulant drugs in a public lavatory, at a park in Tokyo's Minato Ward. The next day, Takaso's car, parked on a street in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, was searched. In the car, 0.817& nbsp;grams of stimulant drugs were found. On August 4, 2009, Takaso was stopped by Tokyo Metropolitan Police while walking in public in Shibuya. When Takaso was subjected to a body search, stimulant drugs were reportedly found in his underwear. Takaso was immediately placed under arrest. Sakai was summoned to the scene of the arrest. She was asked to go to the police station for further questions and to submit to a urine test. Instead, she told the police she had to pick her 10-year old son up, and that she would go to the police station later that day. Sakai later disappeared with her son.cite web|url= http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090805p2a00m0na004000c.html|title=Actress Noriko Sakai goes missing after husband's arrest|publisher=Mainichi Daily News|date=2009-08-05|accessdate=2009-08-07Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBotcite web|url= http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iT9gejRJ1XVfxM3aaT9XVX_XIlOA|title=Noriko Sakai missing after drug arrest of husband|publisher=AFP|date=2009-08-04|accessdate=2009-08-07
While Takaso was being questioned at the police department, he reportedly told the police he and Sakai were involved in drugs. As early as ten days prior to his arrest, the two of them used drugs while on a family trip to Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture . At the time of Takaso's arrest, Sakai was living in her own apartment in Tokyo. While Sakai was away, the police searched Sakai's home, and reportedly found 0.008& nbsp;grams of stimulant drugs, carefully wrapped in aluminum foil.ja iconcite web|url= http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20090810-OHT1T00211.htm|title=???????????"??"!???????????|publisher=Yomiuri Online|date=2009-08-11|accessdate=2009-08-11 An inhaler among the drugs was discovered to have Sakai's DNA. As a result, a warrant was issued for her arrest.cite web|url= http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php? storyid=453493|title=Police obtain arrest warrant on missing actress Sakai|publisher= Kyodo News |date=2009-08-07|accessdate=2009-08-07 On August 5, 2009, Sakai dropped her son off with an unnamed friend, purchased some underwear and other necessities from a store, and then disappeared.cite web|url= http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/son-of-missing-actress-sakai-found-safe-in-tokyo|title=Son of missing actress Sakai found safe in Tokyo|publisher=Japan Today|date=2009-08-07|accessdate=2009-08-08
Attempting to track Sakai down by cell phone, the police reported that her cell phone lost signal within the area of Yamanashi Prefecture , about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of Tokyo .cite web|url= http://www.newsday.com/japan-actress-missing-after-drug-arrest-of-husband-1.1352106|title=Japan actress missing after drug arrest of husband|publisher=Newsday|date=2009-08-06|accessdate=2009-08-07 Sakai later claimed that the cell phone was damaged, and that she threw the phone away. Police believe that the cell phone may contain information leading to the source of the stimulant drugs.
On August 7, 2009, Sakai turned herself in to the authorities, and then was placed under arrest.cite web|url= http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php? storyid=453725|title=Actress Sakai arrested over drugs, admits to allegations|publisher=Kyodo on the Web|date=2009-08-08|accessdate=2009-08-08 The official charge against Sakai is "suspicion of possessing stimulant drugs," according to a Tokyo police official.cite web|url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/447981/1/.html|title=Japan's pop star Sakai turned over to prosecutors|publisher=Channel News Asia|date=2009-08-10|accessdate=2009-08-10 She admitted to the drugs being in her apartment, but did not admit to taking the drugs herself. She also said she kept the drugs in foil "to use them later."
On August 17, 2009, a beach house in Katsuura, Chiba was also searched.cite web|url= http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-5160|title=Drugs found at Chiba house linked to Sakai, Takaso|publisher=TokyoGraph|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-19 A frequent location for both Sakai and Takaso the past five years, 0.097& nbsp;grams of amphetamines and paraphernalia were found in the house. On August 21, 2009, after admitting to the drugs found in the beach house, Takaso was served with a second charge for possession of stimulant drugs.cite web|url= http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/fresh-arrest-warrant-served-on-sakais-husband-over-drug-possession|title=Fresh arrest warrant served on Sakai's husband over drug possession|publisher=Japan Today|date=2009-08-23|accessdate=2009-08-23
Drug testing and indictment
On August 9, 2009 - two days after Sakai's arrest, a urine test result came up negative. Light use of methamphetamine can only be detected in a urine test within one to four days after use.cite web|url= http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/PEOPLE/injury/research/job185drugs/methamphetamine.htm|title=Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheets|publisher=United States Department of Transportation|accessdate=2009-08-11 On August 19, 2009, investigators announced that Sakai's hair tested positive for the stimulant drug, although the results were weak.ja iconcite web|url= http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0819/TKY200908190229.html|title=??????????????????|publisher=asahi.com|date=2009-08-19|accessdate=2009-08-19Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot Before Sakai was caught, she reportedly dyed and cut her hair; both practices would affect the testing results.cite web|url= http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-5187|title=Noriko Sakai suspected of destroying evidence|publisher=TokyoGraph|date=2009-08-24|accessdate=2009-08-24 Because of the positive result in the hair test, Sakai's jail time was extended another nine days - until August 28, 2009.
On the final day of Sakai's detention, prosecutors officially indicted Sakai for alleged amphetamine possession, based on the evidence collected by the police.cite web|url= http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/sakai-indicted-over-drug-possession|title=Actress Sakai indicted over drug possession|publisher=Japan Today|date=2009-08-28|accessdate=2009-08-28 The fact that the drugs were carefully wrapped for later use was a deciding factor in the verdict. On September 10, 2009, an additional charge of stimulant drug use was added. Sakai allegedly used amphetamines at a hotel during her Kagoshima Prefecture visit with her husband and son.cite web|url= http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/another-stimulant-use-charge-slapped-on-actress-sakai|title=Another stimulant-use charge slapped on actress Sakai|publisher=Japan Today|date=2009-09-10|accessdate=2009-09-10
Sakai was released from jail after posting bail on September 17, 2009. Accompanied by her attorney, and with Sun Music Vice President Masahisa Aizawa in attendance, she apologized to the public during a press conference. "My weakness caused me to give in to illegal drugs and caused grief to many people. I pledge to repent and atone for this crime for the rest of my life," she said. Sakai was checked into a hospital to overcome her drug habit, and asked for restraint from the media during her recovery.cite web|url= http://mdn.mainichi.jp/photospecials/graph/sakai/|title=Actress Noriko Sakai makes tearful apology after release from detention|publisher=Mainichi|date=2009-09-17|accessdate=2009-09-17
Sakai's first court date was held on October 26, 2009 - drawing a crowd of 6,600 people outside of a Tokyo courthouse.cite web|url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/26/japan-noriko-sakai-drug-t_n_334230.html|title=Noriko Sakai Drug Trial Draws Crouwd of 6,000|publisher=Associated Press|date=2009-10-26|accessdate=2009-10-26 Sakai pleaded guilty to drug use. Prosecutors suggested eighteen months in prison for Sakai, but on November 9, 2009, the court delayed the jail term to November 9, 2012, as long as she stays crime-free.cite web|url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1016915/1/.html|title=Japan pop star Sakai gets suspended jail term for drug use|publisher=channelnewsasia.com|date=2009-11-09|accessdate=2009-11-09 Sakai is now attending University of Creation; Art, Music & Social Work in Takasaki, Gunma . She is studying welfare and nursing care.
Industry and consumer reactions
The drug scandal can potentially cost Sakai billions of yen in canceled contracts and other endeavors she was involved in prior.ja iconcite web|url= http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20090810-529350.html|title=??????????????????|publisher=Nikkan Sports|date=2009-08-10|accessdate=2009-08-14 On August 6, 2009, car manufacturer Toyota reportedly stopped showing a commercial, featuring Sakai, on its web site.ja iconcite web|url= http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/business/090806/biz0908061856016-n1.htm|title=??????CM?????????? ????????|publisher=Sankei Shimbun|date=2009-08-06|accessdate=2009-08-08 Sakai's clothing line "PP rikorino", consisting of over 150 items were pulled from stores throughout Japan.
During the first week of the scandal, Apple Inc 's iTunes Store rated Sakai's 1995 song Aoi Usagi the number one downloaded song. The rating were based on an eleven-day period.cite web|url= http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20090812-530077.html|title=Aoi Usagi iTunes rated number 1|publisher=Nikkan Sports|date=2009-08-12|accessdate=2009-08-12 Other Sakai songs among the top 100 downloads include Kagami no Doresu (17th) and Sekaiju no Dare Yori Kitto (18th). On August 9, 2009, Victor Entertainment , the distributor of Sakai's works, withdrew Sakai's CDs from stores, and suspended downloads of her songs.cite web|url= http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090812b1.html|title=1995 Sakai song tops iTunes chart|publisher=Japan Times Online|date=2009-08-12|accessdate=2009-08-12 On-line stores such as Amazon.com|Amazon Japan still sell Sakai's CDs and DVDs, despite increasing the selling prices as a result of Victor's move.
Immediately after the indictment announcement, Sun Music (Japan)|Sun Music , the talent agency who has represented Sakai since 1986, suspended the contract. Sun Music president Masahisa Aizawa said, "We apologize from the bottom of our hearts for the alleged misdeeds of Ms. Sakai."cite web|url= http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090829n1.html|title=Sakai charged with drug possession|publisher=Japan Times|date=2009-08-29|accessdate=2009-08-29 Sun Music removed Sakai's official web site from its web server. Soon after Aizawa's announcement, he was demoted to vice-president. Chairman Hideyoshi Aizawa removed himself from the position, and is now an adviser to Sun Music, with no right to represent the firm.cite web|url= http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/sakais-husband-to-go-on-trial-oct-21-oshios-trial-set-for-oct-23|title=Sakai's husband to go on trial Oct 21; Oshio's trial set for Oct 23|publisher=Japan Today|date=2009-09-03|accessdate=2009-09-03
In April 2011, Sakai participated in a tour around Beijing to educate the hazards of drug addiction. She claimed that she will temporarily set aside her entertainment career to partake in charity organizations for now.cite web | url = http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa? noriko_sakais_new_role_as_anti-drug_campaign_representative_16645.aspx | title = Noriko Sakai's new role as anti-drug campaign representative | publisher = Asia Pacific Arts | date = 2011-04-18
Marumaru Chibi Maruko-chan as Okaasan, Fuji TV 2007
Filmography
Ju-on: The Grudge 2 , 2003
Yogen , 2004
SS (manga)|SS , 2008
Photo books
Let's Nori-P
Shuffle Heart
Blue Pearl
Aquarius
Zephoros
In Europe
In Greece
Comme Le Cinema
Shinin Run
Orange Hotel
Naturelle
Fizz
References
Portal box|Japan|Biography-reflist|2 Persondata | NAME =Sakai, Noriko | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH =1971-02-14 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Sakai, Noriko Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:People from Fukuoka (city) Category:Japanese actors Category:Japanese female singers Category:Japanese idols Category:Japanese pop singers Category:People convicted of drug offenses