Ryoko Yonekura Under Suspicion: Drug Allegations and Potential Career Fallout
Ryoko Yonekura (50), who had been on hiatus since her last Instagram post on August 19th, has surfaced in news reports regarding alleged drug use and a police search.
According to an article published by Bunshun Online on October 11th, Yonekura's home in Tokyo was searched by multiple investigators around 6:30 PM on August 20th. Illegal substances were reportedly detected during the assessment of seized items, and drug paraphernalia was also discovered.
The Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare Narcotics Control Department, also known as Matori, has reportedly decided to proceed with an investigation on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Law. However, two months after the search, Yonekura has not been arrested.
Since around October 6th, various media outlets, having caught wind of the information, have been staking out her home, but there has been no activity. The key to this confusing investigation is said to be her Argentine dancer boyfriend, Mr. A. "Various items were seized from Yonekura's home, but it seems difficult to prove that 'Yonekura was aware' of them. This is because Mr. A frequently visited her home and was practically living with her."
Therefore, the possibility that someone other than Yonekura possessed the illegal substances cannot be ruled out. Mr. A was out of the country at the time of the search.
He was scheduled to teach a tango lesson on October 10th at the tango school where he works, but his visit to Japan was postponed at the last minute. The investigation is facing difficulties, and it is believed that even if Yonekura is referred to prosecutors, she is likely to be acquitted. (Reporter from a national newspaper's social affairs department) Yonekura is said to be cooperating with the voluntary investigation. However, she seems to be in poor condition due to stress.
She seems to be staying in hotels instead of going home as a measure against the media. She contacted her colleagues, saying, 'I'm taking a three-month break. I'm sorry.' She has lost a lot of weight, and her back pain, a chronic condition that had been improving since surgery in '23, has worsened. I'm worried because I heard she's been holed up in her room and hasn't been eating much..." (Yonekura's acquaintance)
Since the Matori search on August 20th, Yonekura has been absent from events, and companies that use her in their commercials are scrambling to respond.
Axis Consulting, a recruiting company that launched a new CF featuring her in July, suspended the YouTube advertisement video until the 6th when the media swarmed her house. Rakuten Mobile has reportedly been contacted by Yonekura's side, saying, "We would like to refrain from work for the time being."
The TV industry is the most affected. A veteran executive at a key station whispers, "All commercial broadcasters have already issued a 'no appearance' order. TV Asahi will be the most affected. The 'Doctor-X' series, starring Yonekura, was a cash cow."
Although it tentatively ended with a theatrical version last year, it was a huge hit, grossing over 3.2 billion yen, and there were reportedly plans for a new series in Japan. Yonekura was also positive, saying that it would be a tribute to Toshiyuki Nishida. But this report has ruined it.
Yonekura continues to remain silent after the report. Within the industry, there are concerns that she may disappear from the entertainment world altogether. Yonekura's annual income is said to be no less than 200 million yen, and her home, worth 700 million yen, has been fully paid off.
If she is acquitted, there is a high possibility that she will not incur any penalties for CF etc., and she will not have any difficulty with living expenses. Some weekly magazines reported that Yonekura had consulted with a major entertainment agency president earlier this year about wanting to close her office.
If she wants to continue working in the entertainment industry, she should fulfill her responsibility to explain by holding a press conference, but there is no such talk. At this rate, one can't help but think that she has something to hide, so she can't do anything. Even if she is not arrested, won't she disappear naturally? (Former) In the drama, she overcame any predicament with the decisive line 'I won't fail.' Can she escape the crisis in her life without failing?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/tmrlahxhdbal/224054375318
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