In early October, TV crews and newspaper reporters crowded into a luxury condominium in a quiet residential area of Minato Ward, Tokyo. The reporters were after the actress Yonekura Ryoko (age 50), who lives on the top floor of the building and is in the news. A large number of reporters surrounded her house, waiting for the moment to arrive. The investigation by the Matri (Drug Enforcement Department of the Kanto Shinetsu Health and Welfare Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare) had reached a critical stage, and information was flying around that the X-day was scheduled to arrive on October 6. However, no action had been taken at the scene for days, and the progress of the investigation was still unclear. It seemed as if the press, growing impatient, was leaving the scene one after another, and the turmoil seemed to be subsiding without incident. The magazine reported in detail that a raid had been conducted at Yonekura’s home on August 20, that several illegal drugs may have been seized, and that Matri was conducting a full-scale investigation on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Law. The magazine received information that Matri was conducting an internal investigation of Yonekura around June of this year, and has continued to cover the case for more than four months since then. The magazine’s article, distributed the next day, clearly described Yonekura’s dismay on the day of the raid, saying, “What is this? The article was published the next day and clearly described Yonekura’s dismay on the day of the raid, and included photos of her on an intimate date with her boyfriend, an Argentinean dancer named A.” (see above, reporter, Social Affairs Department). According to Bunshun, Yonekura was arrested at the house. According to Bunshun, several pieces of evidence containing ingredients of illegal drugs were seized during the raid, and there are reports that Yonekura was questioned in detail about the facts related to her drug use and possession. On the other hand, there are also reports that it took time to authenticate the seized drugs and that the results of the urine test were clear. In some cases, even if it is a very small amount, if it is wrapped in a joint (paper roll) or in a bong (pipe or other apparatus), the person can be arrested for possession with intent to use, but in Yonekura’s case, it is believed that none of these cases fell under either of these categories. The electronic version of the Shukan Bunshun also reported that Yonekura traveled to Europe two days after the raid, which means that she was free at least at that point. Yonekura had left Japan for two weeks to visit London and other cities, and upon her return in early September, she was confronted directly by reporters waiting for her at the airport, who were bewildered to learn that information about the investigation had been leaked. It is believed that she left her home after that to avoid confusion and is now staying at a hotel out of sight.” The office of Matri, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, is located in the joint government building in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. Yonekura is said to have visited the office many times and to have responded openly to interrogations. On the other hand, some people concerned are questioning the fact that the allegations against Yonekura, who is not even a “suspect” at this point, are being widely reported. It is extremely unusual for the media to report the process of an investigation before a suspect has been established,” said one of the persons involved in the case. Yonekura is probably more shocked than anyone else. One of the reasons why the investigation has not progressed even two months after the raid is that Yonekura’s boyfriend, Mr. A, has been frequenting her home. One of the reasons why the investigation has not progressed even after nearly two months since the raid is that Yonekura’s lover, Mr. A, frequently visited her home. In order to identify the owner of the seized evidence, we had to ask Mr. A about the details of the case. Since Mr. A was not at Yonekura’s house on the day of the raid, Matri planned to interview them both again in early October. However, Mr. A is believed to have left Japan just before the raid, and the questioning of Mr. A had to be postponed.
