Actor Hiroya Shimizu Released on Bail Following Drug Bust

Shimizu’s protection staff paid a bail bond of two million yen. Upon leaving detention on the Tokyo Wangan Police Station, he bowed deeply earlier than reporters and stated, “I sincerely apologize for the concern and trouble I have caused many people.”

Police have additionally arrested actor Kenshin Endo and a person in his twenties working part-time, each on suspicion of collectively possessing hashish with Shimizu. The arrests had been confirmed by interviews with investigators.

Shimizu, who was indicted on September twenty second after being arrested earlier this month for possessing dried hashish at his Tokyo dwelling, walked out of detention at round 7:15 p.m. on September twenty fourth carrying a black go well with and tie. Facing reporters, he acknowledged, “I am truly sorry,” earlier than bowing for about 15 seconds and apologizing once more for betraying the expectations of followers and trade colleagues.

Shimizu, who made his movie debut in 2012 and rose to prominence with roles within the “Tokyo Revengers” collection, had been considered considered one of Japan’s promising younger actors. In a previous police interrogation, he admitted, “I first smoked cannabis at age 20 while studying abroad in Los Angeles. From around age 24, when my income increased, my usage grew.”

The Metropolitan Police Department believes a person in his twenties acted as a purchaser of hashish for Shimizu. During questioning, Endo, who co-starred with Shimizu in a 2018 movie and appeared in an NHK historic drama in 2021, denied involvement, saying, “I did see something like cannabis at Shimizu’s home, but it was not mine.”

Shimizu, in the meantime, admitted, “Each time, I handed cash to a friend and had them purchase cannabis for me.” Fans, a few of whom had gathered exterior the police station hours earlier than his launch, expressed disappointment but additionally a want to see him in individual, fearing it could be their final probability.

Source: Kyodo