:Noriko Sakai

Noriko Sakai was born in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. She made her debut as an idol singer in 1986.

Sakai released her first single, {{Nihongo|"Otoko no Ko ni Naritai"|男のコになりたい||"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 {{Nihongo|Nori-P|のりピー}}, although around the mid-1990s she started to distance herself from it.{{cite 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 = https://web.archive.org/web/20080208121047/http://www.sunmusic.org/noriko/ |archivedate = 2008-02-08|language=Japanese}}{{cite web|url=http://i-noriko.net/ |title=Hong Kong Sakai Noriko Alliance (via archive.org)|date=2008-01-29|accessdate=2009-09-05 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080129173850/http://i-noriko.net/ |archivedate = 2008-01-29|language=Japanese}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pprikorino.com/ |title=PP rikorino HP (via archive.org)|date=2008-01-05|accessdate=2009-09-05 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080105061244/http://www.pprikorino.com/ |archivedate = 2008-01-05|language=Japanese}}

She ventured overseas in the 1990s to Taiwan to shoot VITALON P beverage commercials, as well as holding concerts which received praise.

Sakai returned to the public attention after 1993, where she received recognition for her acting in Hitotsu Yane no Shita as Kashiwagi Koyuki. In 1995, she acted in Hoshi no Kinka (Heaven's Coins) as Aya Kuramoto, also singing the theme song {{nihongo|"Aoi Usagi"|碧いうさぎ||"blue rabbit"}} which became her best selling album to date.

By the end of 1998 she organized the Asian concert tours throughout Taiwan, mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries in the regions.

On December 28, 1998, she suddenly held a press conference, announcing her marriage to {{nihongo|Yūichi Takasō|高相 祐一|Takasō Yūichi}}. She and Yūichi have one son, born on July 17, 1999.{{cite news |title=Arrest warrant issued for missing Japan actress Noriko Sakai, son found safe |agency=The Canadian Press |date=August 7, 2009}}

In January 2000, after the birth of her son, Sakai made a comeback to showbiz, and gradually took on roles in movies, drama and advertising. In 2003 she starred in honor film Ju-On: The Grudge 2 as Kyoko Harase. Sakai's popularity in Japan is not outstanding, but she has considerable supporters in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China.

Sakai re-emerged in the headlines for a drug scandal on August 2, 2009, when Sakai's husband, Yūichi Takasō allegedly inhaled a small amount of stimulant drugs in a public lavatory, at a park in Tokyo's Minato Ward. The next day, Takasō's car, parked on a street in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, was searched. In the car, 0.817 grams of stimulant drugs were found. On August 4, 2009, Takasō was stopped by Tokyo Metropolitan Police while walking in public in Shibuya. When Takasō was subjected to a body search, stimulant drugs were reportedly found in his underwear. Takasō 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=2009-08-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808102632/http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20090805p2a00m0na004000c.html |archivedate=August 8, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iT9gejRJ1XVfxM3aaT9XVX_XIlOA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810192942/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iT9gejRJ1XVfxM3aaT9XVX_XIlOA|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 10, 2009|title=Noriko Sakai missing after drug arrest of husband|publisher=AFP|date=2009-08-04|accessdate=2009-08-07}}

While Takasō 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 Ōshima in Kagoshima Prefecture. At the time of Takasō'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 grams of stimulant drugs, carefully wrapped in aluminum foil.{{cite web|url=http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20090810-OHT1T00211.htm|script-title=ja:酒井法子容疑者、逃げ得"無罪"！？立件困難で起訴猶予も|publisher=Yomiuri Online|date=2009-08-11|accessdate=2009-08-11|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813095027/http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20090810-OHT1T00211.htm|archive-date=2009-08-13|url-status=dead}} 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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812220004/http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=453493|archive-date=2009-08-12|url-status=dead}} 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|archive-date=2011-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605142651/http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/son-of-missing-actress-sakai-found-safe-in-tokyo|url-status=dead}}

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. The police believed that the cell phone may have contained 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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812220010/http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=453725|archive-date=2009-08-12|url-status=dead}} The official charge against Sakai was "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|archive-date=2009-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812103003/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/447981/1/.html|url-status=dead}} 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 Takasō the past five years, 0.097 grams of amphetamines and paraphernalia were found in the house. On August 21, 2009, after admitting to the drugs found in the beach house, Takasō 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|archive-date=2011-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605143351/http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/fresh-arrest-warrant-served-on-sakais-husband-over-drug-possession|url-status=dead}}

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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814010819/http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/research/job185drugs/methamphetamine.htm|archive-date=2009-08-14|url-status=dead}} On August 19, 2009, investigators announced that Sakai's hair tested positive for the stimulant drug, although the results were weak.{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0819/TKY200908190229.html |script-title=ja:酒井法子容疑者、毛髪から覚せい剤反応 |publisher=asahi.com |date=2009-08-19 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820041353/http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0819/TKY200908190229.html |archivedate=August 20, 2009 }} 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|archive-date=2011-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605143412/http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/sakai-indicted-over-drug-possession|url-status=dead}} 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}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923001839/http://mdn.mainichi.jp/photospecials/graph/sakai/|archive-date=2009-09-23|url-status=dead}}

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|archive-date=2009-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112083411/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1016915/1/.html|url-status=dead}} Sakai attended the University of Creation; Art, Music & Social Work in Takasaki, Gunma, where she received her degree in welfare and nursing care in March 2013.{{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}}

The drug scandal cost Sakai billions of yen in canceled contracts and other endeavors she was involved in prior.{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20090810-529350.html|script-title=ja:酒井法子容疑者逮捕で違約金は数億円か|publisher=Nikkan Sports|date=2009-08-10|accessdate=2009-08-14|language=Japanese}} On August 6, 2009, car manufacturer Toyota reportedly stopped showing a commercial, featuring Sakai, on its web site.{{cite web|url=http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/business/090806/biz0908061856016-n1.htm|script-title=ja:酒井法子さんＣＭの動画公開を取りやめ 夫の事件でトヨタ|publisher=Sankei Shimbun|date=2009-08-06|accessdate=2009-08-08|language=Japanese|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809135227/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/business/090806/biz0908061856016-n1.htm|archive-date=2009-08-09|url-status=dead}} 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, 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 Sekaijū no Dare Yori Kitto (18th). However, 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}} Online stores such as Amazon Japan still sold Sakai's CDs and DVDs, despite increasing the selling prices as a result of Victor's move. In more recent years Victor Entertainment has reversed its decision and redistributed her work.

Immediately after the indictment announcement, Sun Music, the talent agency who has represented Sakai since 1986, suspended her contract and removed her official website from its server. The agency's 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}} 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}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In the aftermath of the scandal, Sakai divorced her husband Takasō 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}}

In April 2011, Sakai participated in a tour around Beijing to educate the hazards of drug addiction. She claimed that she would temporarily set aside her entertainment career to partake in charity organizations.{{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 | access-date = 2011-04-21 | archive-date = 2013-08-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130826044350/http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?noriko_sakais_new_role_as_anti-drug_campaign_representative_16645.aspx | url-status = dead }}

At a news conference on November 24, 2012, Sakai announced her return to the entertainment industry, after finishing her suspended sentence that ended earlier Friday.{{cite web|url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/nori-p-returns |title=Nori-P returns|date=2012-11-24|accessdate=2012-11-24}} Sakai also signed on with talent agency Office Nigun Niiba. She returned to the stage in December 2012 as the main character in a story about the Sengoku period, ending December 25, 2012. In all, 7,500 people attended the stage performance during the ten-day period.[http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/noriko-sakai-completes-first-stage-of-comeback-following-drug-scandal Noriko Sakai completes first stage of comeback following drug scandal]

In October 2021, Sakai re-recorded "Aoi Usagi" and placed an NFT of it and promo photos on auction to promote the fourth season of the drama series Producer K, which marked her first drama appearance in eight years.{{cite news |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202110110000635.html |title=酒井法子「碧いうさぎ2021」の音源と写真をオークションサイトに出品 |newspaper=Nikkan Sports |date=2021-10-11 |access-date=2021-10-12}}

{{main|Noriko Sakai discography}}

• Guanbare CDV Special (mini laser disc)

• Pikachu and Pichu, 2000
• Ju-on: The Grudge 2, 2003
• Yogen, 2004
• SS, 2008
• Utsusemi no Mori, 2021

• Tobu ga Gotoku as Saigō Koto, NHK 1990
• Under the Same Roof as Kashiwagi Koyuki, Fuji TV 1993
• Longing For The Old You, NTV 1994
• Watashi, Mikata Desu, TBS 1995
• Hoshi no Kinka (Heaven's Coins) as Aya Kuramoto, NTV 1995
• Zoku Hoshi no Kinka (Heaven's Coins 2) as Aya Kuramoto, NTV 1996
• Hitotsu Yane no Shita 2 as Koyuki Kashiwagi, Fuji TV 1997
• Seija no Koushin, TBS 1999
• Toi Shinseki Chikaku no Tanin, NHK 1999
• Tenshi ga Kieta Machi, NTV 2000
• Honke no Yome, NTV 2001
• Toshiie and Matsu as One, NHK 2002{{cite web |url= https://haiyaku.web.fc2.com/02-taiga.html|title= 利家とまつ 加賀百万石物語|access-date= 27 November 2024|website= Haiyaku Jiten|language=ja}}
• Mukodono 2003, Fuji TV 2003
• Fight as Kido Ayako, NHK 2005
• Marumaru Chibi Maruko-chan as Okaasan, Fuji TV 2007

• Let's Nori-P
• Shuffle Heart
• Blue Pearl
• Aquarius
• Zephoros
• In Europe
• In Greece
• Comme Le Cinema
• Shinin Run
• Orange Hotel
• Naturelle
• Fizz

• {{nihongo|Kagami no Kuni no Legend|鏡の国のレジェンド}} (video game for the PC Engine CD add-on)

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Portal|Japan|Biography}}

• {{Official website|https://norikosakai.co.jp/}}
• {{MusicBrainz artist|mbid=53e56331-5049-4a9f-9195-98bddff6361a|name=Noriko Sakai}}
• {{Discogs artist|artist=1835715-Noriko-Sakai|name=Noriko Sakai}}
• [https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/216232/ Noriko Sakai] at Oricon
• [https://idol.ne.jp/sakainoriko Noriko Sakai] at Idol.ne.jp
• {{IMDb name|id=0757015}}

{{Noriko Sakai}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sakai, Noriko}}

Category:1971 births

Category:20th-century Japanese actresses

Category:20th-century Japanese women singers

Category:21st-century Japanese actresses

Category:21st-century Japanese women singers

Category:Actresses from Fukuoka

Category:English-language singers from Japan

Category:Horikoshi High School alumni

Category:Japanese female idols

Category:Japanese people convicted of drug offenses

Category:Japanese women pop singers

Category:Living people

Category:Mandarin-language singers of Japan

Category:People of Shōwa-era Japan

Category:Singers from Fukuoka

Category:Victor Entertainment artists