former boy band and popular idol Junnosuke Taguchi, 33, was arrested in late May for violating the Cannabis Control Act. Taguchi lives with his partner, actress Rena Komie, 38; both are suspected of possessing 2.3 grams of dried marijuana in their shared Tokyo apartment.
The drug control department of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare says it received a tip off that the couple were using illicit drugs. They were taken into custody after a search of the apartment uncovered the marijuana, along with instruments to crush cannabis and paper rolls. They were both arrested and charged but released on bail for $28,000 after Taguchi pleaded guilty to cannabis use. He also confessed to taking up marijuana 10 years prior. Bail conditions prohibit contact between the couple based on the risk of repeating the crime.
As customary in Japan, Taguchi made a public apology in front of the press where he vowed to never get involved in marijuana and crime again. Taguchi fell to his knees outside the police station and bowed on his hands and knees for 20 seconds. He promised to take an absence of leave from show business in order to make up for his crime and to start afresh to regain public trust. Super fans gathered in the audience cheered support for his mission to “get clean.”
