Rumors of drug use by Sawajiri's husband may be behind her being fired

After her agent terminated her contract, actress Erika Sawajiri, 23, avoided the media and left Japan for Germany on Sept 26, while her husband, Tsuyoshi Takashiro, 45, fled to the UK. Sawajiri’s dismissal was blamed on “personal matters.” Sawajiri’s neighbors in Setagaya weren’t sad to see her go. One neighbor said there had been numerous complaints by residents about loud music and noise coming out of her home in the wee hours of the night.

Her former agent, Stardust Promotion, is said to have sacked the actress for several reasons. She was questioned by police for suspicion of violating traffic laws during her stay in Amami-oshima to see the solar eclipse. Her husband allegedly profited from using Sawajiri, without the consent of her agent, to promote the fashion brand Marc Jacobs, which he holds an interest in.

But rumors in the entertainment industry hint that Takashiro, suspected of using illegal drugs, may be the true reason behind his wife’s dismissal by the agency. The couple had been at the July solar eclipse event where it is now known that Noriko Sakai and her husband were taking drugs. Additionally, Takashiro made a public statement in a magazine interview about his own drug use in the past. Takashiro is known to travel widely, which has continued after his marriage to Sawajiri. His favorite destination seems to be the Spanish island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean, also known as a haven for clubbers and buyers of cheap marijuana and chemical drugs. Takashiro apparently is so fond of this island that he visits there annually and has even produced a book, published with his name as editor.

Sawajiri lost her chance of a comeback as the leading actress in the film “Space Battleship Yamato,” slated for release next year. A film industry source comments, “Those in the TV and film business are extremely sensitive about drug-related issues after the Sakai and Oshio incident. It is not uncommon now to use media reporters with police connections to check up on any gossip in advance.”

Any suspicion of drug use by actors can be financially devastating for the sponsor and production side. Sawajiri’s loss of her role has already impacted the promotional value of the film, and it is rumored that those representing lead actor Takuya Kimura are infuriated. It was inevitable that Stardust Promotion decided to sack Sawajiri.

Takashiro has denied any involvement with drug use. In reference to Sakai and Oshio, with whom he says he was not acquainted, he commented in his Sept 27 blog entry on the “social responsibility and illegal actions on the part of the mass media.”

But journalist Akihiro Otani counters: “To make a statement in an interview hinting his own drug use certainly raises questions about his common sense and propriety as an individual who can influence the media. Instead of making remarks on the legitimacy of the media’s actions, he ought to explain the inconsistencies found in his public statements.”

The use of illegal drugs appears to be infiltrating the entire entertainment industry, the most recent incident being the arrest of a former member of the rock band Otoko-gumi on suspicion of marijuana possession. After Sawajiri and Takashiro, what’s next?

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Latest 15 of 27 Total Comments Show All

Damien15 at 10:38 AM JST - 7th October

Sad being we are. What happend to innocent until proven guilty? Why can't we respect their space and leave them alone for god sake. Unless she is showing up to work all messed up on drugs, there should be no reason for ending her contract. It's their loss 'cause she is so beautiful, she'll find other opportunnities in other countries. Countries that won't jail her due to gossips and rumors, loud music or attending solar eclipse parties.
timorborder at 11:34 AM JST - 7th October

Wonderful society when a husband is willing to sell out his missus. Happened in the Sakai case, and it seems to be happening here.

Anyway, if Sawajiri did do drugs down in the boonies, what is she doing being allowed to enter the United Kingdom (who have their own drug problems). If the Japanese police can prove something beyond doubt, maybe they might go through Interpol to get her expelled from the UK.
terebiko at 11:52 AM JST - 7th October

Feel sorry for Noriko Sakai. Seems that if you were anywhere near her, you are suspected of drug abuse. I once watched one of her dramas, hope they don't come after me. Sawajiri does have people problems. Whether she chooses to deal with them or not, is up to her. She hasn't really been active in the entertainment industry lately, and unfortunately for her, I don't think anyone has really noticed. I liked her in dramas and films, but there are a lot of young actresses of her caliber available. Whatever she decides, good luck to her.
bobbafett at 11:58 AM JST - 7th October

Takahiro has attempted to destroy his young wife's career by throwing her to the lions. After what happened to Noriko, it must be a calculated move by the old man to rein in his freedom seeking young wife. A typical move by a control freak.
chewbakayaro at 01:50 PM JST - 7th October

All she has to do is as they do in Hollywood and Bollywood - sleep around with a few of the industry folks. She'll be back on the big screen in no time.
jason6 at 02:15 PM JST - 7th October

I don't see anything in the article supporting what the title says. Am I mis-reading??
terebiko at 04:08 PM JST - 7th October

After re-reading the title, I see what you mean jason6. When I first read it, it sounded like Erika's husband had said she was taking drugs. Actually it is saying that Erika's husband's drug use is the reason Erika was fired. This is supported by the first sentence in the third paragraph:

"But rumors in the entertainment industry hint that Takashiro, suspected of using illegal drugs, may be the true reason behind his wife’s dismissal by the agency."

Confusing title.
Foxie at 01:16 PM JST - 8th October

Not another one! Maybe the cops should get the names of all the participants at that Solar Eclypse festival. The arrest rates would surely go up that way.
BurakuminDes at 11:19 PM JST - 8th October

Her former agent, Stardust Promotion

Ha ha! Says it all really! Methinks quite a few of these J-Pop idols have been getting into the ol' "Stardust"...
bdiego at 04:42 PM JST - 13th October

Pretty silly that they cite a traffic violation as one of the reasons. And too bad this article fails to mention it was on a bike.
bdiego at 04:43 PM JST - 13th October

Yeah, title is ambiguous under English grammar rules.
badmigraine at 03:57 PM JST - 14th October

Where's the evidence of "beautiful" or "talented"? All I ever saw were shots of her with straggly hair and those giant sunglasses celebs to hide behind. As for talent, how do we know? Did she do anything good?
ptolemy at 10:18 PM JST - 14th October

As for talent, how do we know? Did she do anything good?

Sawajiri said, "Betsu ni." pretty dramatically. I think that is about all she really did though. Seems to be her entire career. That and the "casting couch tango" to get the parts she had.
unrested at 03:05 PM JST - 19th October

damn and i bet battle ship yamamoto was going to be SO AMAZING!! like all other japanese movies whose, fx, quality, and plots are comparable to american day-time soaps.
Jizzeez at 04:48 PM JST - 23rd October

This article is hilarious.I love: "The use of illegal drugs appears to be infiltrating the entire entertainment industry, the most recent incident being the arrest of a former member of the rock band Otoko-gumi on suspicion of marijuana possession." What's next? The suspicion that certain members of SMAP may like wearing make up?