Takaso Yuichi (41), husband of former actress and top idol Sakai Noriko (38), got his sentence at the Tokyo District Court on Friday morning. Like his wife earlier this month he was found guilty on charges of possession and use of amphetamines, and like her he got the sentence sought by prosecutors. In Takaso’s case that was a 2-year prison sentence, suspended for four years. The verdict was somewhat more harsh than the 18-month sentence, suspended for three years, received by Sakai. This was no doubt because Takaso was the heavier user and introduced Sakai to drugs in the first place. Prosecutors said, “He has admitted to his drug addiction, to having a regular habit, and was found in possession of a quantity equivalent to 300 fixes. He was the one who obtained the drugs so the chances of re-offending are high.” Takaso and Sakai are expected to initiate divorce proceedings as soon as the law allows, which will be next month.
Sakai, meanwhile, has enrolled in a university course to become a social worker and appeared in a video promoting Souzou Gakuen University. The video, uploaded to YouTube featured stills from Sakai’s recent orientation at the school and her speaking about her encounters with other students.