Noriko Sakai visits Souzou Gakuen University on Wednesday.

Noriko Sakai goes to university

Thursday 19th November, 11:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

Noriko Sakai, who received a suspended sentence last week on charges of drug use and possession, visited Souzou Gakuen University (The University of Creation; Art, Music & Social Work) in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, on Wednesday. Sakai, 38, has enrolled to take classes.

She looked in good health, smiling occasionally. By her side was Sun Music Production Inc President Masahisa Aizawa who is currently giving her advice on how to progress in her dream of working as a caregiver.

A university spokesperson said that Sakai had come to attend orientation that day, and received a tour of the Nakayama and Yachiyo campuses. There are rumors that she would receive credits through distance learning courses, but the university stated that nothing had been decided yet.

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Latest 15 of 57 Total Comments Show All

norinrad21 at 11:29 PM JST - 19th November

Good on her
nightvision at 11:36 PM JST - 19th November

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
syaka at 12:20 AM JST - 20th November

@ nightvision:

I couldn't agree more.
Foxie at 12:46 AM JST - 20th November

It seems to be very easy getting away with crimes in Japan. Based on that image, many more people will commit crimes. Excellent education!
usaexpat at 12:53 AM JST - 20th November

Well going to Uni makes it easier to find drugs. In seriousness though what is a producer doing giving advice on being a caregiver. Am I missing something here. Also, won't the income be a bit lower than she's used to?
Badsey at 04:41 AM JST - 20th November

I hope she hurries up with this degree because my back has been giving me some discomfort and I could really use some Nori-P care.
Osakadaz at 08:51 AM JST - 20th November

What a rort.The perks of being a 'tarento' here in J-land.I wonder if other people convicted of the same type of crime can now push for the same type of re-education instead of Jail time.I doubt it somehow.
Badsey at 01:19 PM JST - 20th November

You need to ask for the Nori-P treatment, but being the Poster-Child for drug abuse is not easy. I think the Police are probably looking for another Poster-Child by now. Who will be next?

I do think Nori-P was a good choice. -Even her manager got in on the act. Money to be made for all + drug awareness.
oberst at 08:10 PM JST - 20th November

what a lovely co-ed !!! Do they have cheerleader squad ?
cracaphat at 02:25 AM JST - 21st November

She wont last. But the contingency plan is there.Distance learning.Too busy to go to school, eh ?
nedinjapan at 09:22 AM JST - 22nd November

She has heard about drugs being popular in Japanese universities ;-)
BuddhismTech at 10:05 AM JST - 23rd November

Wow! Noriko Sakai certainly looked attractive! But, unfortunately, her nice clothes could not hide her problem. It is still too difficult for her to completely escape her old habit, especially like getting off the illegal drugs which she recently used. If she is not sufficiently determined, her new self will be gradually enticed to return to her old self. Establishing a new goal will probably not be able to save her as a person with a new reputation. Fixing her mistake is a lot harder than it looks, unless she chooses a right path, such as changing her career, from high-profile acting to low-profile nursing.

Is she letting the Japanese media to keep following her until she completes her schooling and get a new job in nursing? I hope not. It is not necessary for Japan and the world to know everything about what is she doing.

Ironically, the Sun Music Production Inc is still with her, despite that the rumor indicated she was fired by her company. Why was President Masahisa Aizawa walking with Noriko Sakai, although that her path was now very different? Real-world nursing and entertainment-world acting don't mix up. Hopefully, everything she is doing is not scripted and designed to reshape Japan in a false way. Is she currently paid to be an underground/concealing actress? I am wondering.
BuddhismTech at 07:17 AM JST - 24th November

I think that Noriko Sakai is secretly working for the Japanese government. Her job is similar to a secret agent (like a FBI informant in America). She is getting paid to act for the Japanese government to get more Japanese to be interested in nursing, because Japan is suffering a serious nursing shortage and not wanting to hire too many foreigners as Japan's nurses. Quite suspicious.
rei307 at 05:35 PM JST - 24th November

I hope she makes it through all of her curriculums without getting bored!
anon99 at 07:26 AM JST - 30th November

Jesus man. But this going-back-to-school trick is just too suspicious. This school is said to be quite low-ranking, and is plagued by scandals, so why chose this school in the beginning? Sure enough, there are other better-ranked unis that offer the same type of programs...

And why Masahisa was around, and had his crew shadow this damaged woman all the way? What's his role in this very act?

Also, why majoring in nursing/senior welfare/etc.? For the sake of her own redemption, ie. to pay back her senior peers (agent, stepmother, backers etc.) before it's too late??

Definitely something really fishy here. I suspect 893 involvement/arrangement. Already, it has been suggested online that this school may be associated with the Inagawa.