The sentence is suspended for 3 years. As long as she stays out of trouble for the next 3 years, she's okay. But if she gets in trouble, then in it's in slammer for Nori-p.

gaijinmark wrote:

The sentence is suspended for 3 years. As long as she stays out of trouble for the next 3 years, she's okay. But if she gets in trouble, then in it's in slammer for Nori-p.

They changed her nickname to Nori-t....t for tweek.

Well, this is certainly a big surprise:

Noriko Sakai scandal being made into movie.

Although the trial is over, the case is still on the media's mind, and an upcoming movie will extend the story for at least a couple more months.

Film distributor Psydirec announced that shooting has already started for a movie titled "Setsuna," a semi-documentary about the Sakai scandal. Masao Kasahara is directing the picture, which is based on the book "Sakai Noriko: Kakusareta Sugao" by entertainment reporter Masaru Nashimoto. The lead actress is said to be a former top star of the Takarazuka's Snow Troupe, though the specific name has not yet been publicly revealed.

"Setsuna" is expected to be released in January 2010.

Wonder what took them so long.

gaijinmark wrote:

Well, this is certainly a big surprise: Noriko Sakai scandal being made into movie. Although the trial is over, the case is still on the media's mind, and an upcoming movie will extend the story for at least a couple more months. Film distributor Psydirec announced that shooting has already started for a movie titled "Setsuna," a semi-documentary about the Sakai scandal. Masao Kasahara is directing the picture, which is based on the book "Sakai Noriko: Kakusareta Sugao" by entertainment reporter Masaru Nashimoto. The lead actress is said to be a former top star of the Takarazuka's Snow Troupe, though the specific name has not yet been publicly revealed. "Setsuna" is expected to be released in January 2010. Wonder what took them so long.

Wow that is a surprize that they decided to make a drama about the story. Is it a cheap ploy for ratings?
_________________

Kamisama Tasukete!

^ Why didn't they just have Noriko play the role... Just like Audie Murphy played himself in To Hell and Back.

gaijinmark wrote:

Well, this is certainly a big surprise: Noriko Sakai scandal being made into movie. Although the trial is over, the case is still on the media's mind, and an upcoming movie will extend the story for at least a couple more months. Film distributor Psydirec announced that shooting has already started for a movie titled "Setsuna," a semi-documentary about the Sakai scandal. Masao Kasahara is directing the picture, which is based on the book "Sakai Noriko: Kakusareta Sugao" by entertainment reporter Masaru Nashimoto. The lead actress is said to be a former top star of the Takarazuka's Snow Troupe, though the specific name has not yet been publicly revealed. "Setsuna" is expected to be released in January 2010. Wonder what took them so long.

this is soo ridiculous....i reckon it will get quite decent ratings tho..
_________________

bmwracer wrote:

^ Why didn't they just have Noriko play the role... Just like Audie Murphy played himself in To Hell and Back.

It's probably cheaper to get another actress.

Jav_sol wrote:

It's probably cheaper to get another actress.

she won`t do it in the first place cus then, the public wud just feel she s using the situation she`s in now to get some profit, using another actress wud make more sense.
_________________

KAZdoramma wrote:

she won`t do it in the first place cus then, the public wud just feel she s using the situation she`s in now to get some profit, using another actress wud make more sense.

Well isn't she? I mean, I'm sure there are some sort of royalties for using her name.

Jav_sol wrote:

Well isn't she? I mean, I'm sure there are some sort of royalties for using her name.

yeah exactly my point, she`ll want to get money in a more subtle way.
she wouldn`t wanna play herself, cus it`s too blatant and obvious that she is just exploiting the situation she s in.
_________________

The latest news:

Noriko Sakai movie details revealed
Thu, November 26, 2009 (6:21pm EST)
It was just announced that the Noriko Sakai (38) case is being turned into a movie, but a press conference held on Wednesday clarified some details. The biggest announcement was that the lead actress was changed at the last moment.

Titled "Setsuna," the film is being directed by Masao Kasahara and is based on entertainment reporter Masaru Nashimoto's book "Sakai Noriko: Kakusareta Sugao." It will have a documentary touch, with the main character being a reporter for a fictional weekly magazine. There are said to be no plans for either Sakai herself or another actress to play Sakai in the movie.

Initial reports had said that the lead would be played by a former Takarazuka top star, but the name had not been revealed. At the press conference, the production company said that the actress suddenly backed out of the project on Wednesday and is being replaced by Shion Machida (37). Several newspapers are reporting that the original choice was former Snow Troupe otokoyaku Yu Emao (42).

Kasahara stated that he is aiming to have the film be about 90 minutes in length.

And soon to be ex-hubby gets 2 years suspended:

Takaso gets 2-year suspended sentence
Sat, November 28, 2009 (12:54am EST)
Yuichi Takaso (41), the husband of actress Noriko Sakai (38), received his sentence on Friday at the Tokyo District Court. Found guilty of multiple counts of drug possession and use, he was given a 2-year prison sentence, suspended for 4 years.

Sakai received her own sentence a couple weeks ago - 18 months, suspended for 3 years. In Takaso's case, prosecutors had sought a longer sentence for reasons such as his heavier drug use and a larger amount of drugs found in his possession. Given that Takaso was the one obtaining the drugs, prosecutors also argued that the probability of a repeat offense is high.

Some current Noriko news, let's hope she makes a reappearence in the entertainment world.

(Source: Sina.com and Sanspo.com) According to news, Sakai Noriko has emerged from the drug scandal that had plagued her life since August 2009. She has since written an autobiography Shokuzai (literally meaning: redemption) which is available in the Japanese market.
The autobiography starts with Sakai�fs narration of the whole drug scandal, and then moving on to recall the days when she first entered the showbiz and her growing activity in it, and subsequently her marriage, leading to what happened till date. It was mentioned that she started the drug consumption in an attempt to salvage the unstable relationship between her husband and her. And when her husband was arrested for drugs, she went into a life of escapism.
But Sakai has since moved on in life, having made an official apology on the launch of her autobiography, and thanked the encouragements that she had so gratefully received.
It was also mentioned that Sakai had been approached a couple of TV stations to dramatise her autobiography.
Though Sakai has yet to confirm her plans for the future, but let�fs hope that this redemption journey will be a start for the actress again.
_________________

I guess we'll see how forgiving the public is.

Jav_sol wrote:

I guess we'll see how forgiving the public is.

I think they may be more with her than most others, think so many seem to feel so sympathetic towards her, she's someone a lot grew up with, so many have also done worse than her.

_________________

Some new Noriko news though we're still waiting for her comeback.
From Tokyohive:

On April 7th, former actress and singer Sakai Noriko appeared at an event at a facility for drug misuse prevention in Beijing.
As many of you may already be aware, Sakai was charged with drug procession in 2009, for which she received a jail sentence of 1 year and 6 months.
In Beijing, Sakai participated in a 15-minute event, where she was presented a �gBeijing Drug Eradication Volunteer�h certificate. In her capacity as a volunteer, the former actress plans to advocate against use of illegal drugs.
Sakai enjoys a lot of popularity in China from her days as an actress, and many local media reported the event. She will be staying for a few days in Beijing, and is also planning to visit a seniors centre.
_________________

hitomi #1 wrote:

we're still waiting for her comeback.

You may not have to wait much longer:

Noriko Sakai to appear in stageplay

On October 16th, a poster of actress Sakai Noriko for the stage play �gHekiku no Kyoshikyoku~Oichi no Kata Gaiden�h (running from December 15th to 24th at Sakura Hall in the Shibuya Cultural Center Owada in Tokyo) was revealed publicly for the first time.

Sakai is currently under probation for stimulant usage and this play marks her first comeback to the entertainment industry since her drug scandal in 2009. Sakai�fs probation period will end by late November.

The photoshoot for the picture occurred earlier this month at a studio in Tokyo and is said to have taken many hours.

Those close to the actress explained Sakai�fs appearance stating, �gSince the script has not been completed yet, we are not 100% sure, but it seemed like she switched into actress mode.�h It is said that Sakai, who had left the industry nearly 3 years and 4 months ago, was deeply touched and extremely happy after seeing the photos and said to the photographer, �gThank you very much�h numerous times.

The play is set between the Warring States Period and the Azuchi-Momoyama Period in Japan. Sakai plays the role of Oichi, the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga. Actor Imai Masayuki, who plays Shibata Katsuie, the second husband of Oichi, mentioned Sakai when he commented, �gI am working hard with [Sakai] to make the play magnificent.�h Other cast members include Kanayama Kazuhiko, who plays Nobunaga; Kanesaki Kentaro, who plays Hashiba Hideyoshi; and Suzuki Hideto, who plays Azai Nagamasa.

Source: Sanspo

Noriko Sakai to release first new mini-album and first new song in 9 years

Noriko Sakai will release a new mini-album titled "Namida Hitotsubu" on January 22, 2014.

The title track is Sakai's first original song in about 9 years with "Tenka Muteki no Ai" being her last in June of 2004. The album will also include another new song called "Traveler" as well as covers of Teresa Teng's "Toki no Nagare ni Mi wo Makase" and Imai Miki's "PRIDE".

In the DVD, there will be music videos of the title track and the Chinese version music video of her song "Aoi Usagi" (1995).

Prior to the CD release, it will be available for download on December 18. On the same day, she will hold a Christmas dinner show at Ebisu Act Square where she will perform "Namida Hitotsubu" for the very first time.

Source: Oricon

Noriko Sakai sings in Chinese at Asian Pop Festival in Hong Kong

The 'Asia Pop Music Festival' was held in Hong Kong on the night of March 28. The event invited singers from 7 countries in Asia including actress Sakai Noriko, who is popular in China.

Before the festival, Sakai commented on the relationship between Japan, China, and South Korea. "Music doesn't have any boundaries. It has the power to make you forget about everything and become one. Through this festival, I hope to bring warm feelings to everyone that would lead to a smile." Seven artists representing their countries performed, and Sakai Noriko sang in Chinese.

The festival attracted about 8,000 guests.

Source: Sanspo

Joining the list of J-Ent with their own YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9SdK83e6_I