Top Japanese actress sent to prosecutors over alleged drug use with foreign man

[The Financial News] Top Japanese actress Ryoko Yonekura has been referred to prosecutors over alleged drug use.
On the 20th, several Japanese outlets, including Fuji Television (Fuji TV) and FNN Prime Online, reported that Ryoko Yonekura's case had been sent to prosecutors on suspicion of violating drug control laws and other charges.
According to the reports, in June last year the Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Narcotics Control Department, Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare, received a tip about Yonekura's alleged drug use and began an internal investigation. The tip claimed that Yonekura had taken drugs with a man identified as A, who holds Argentine nationality. A search of her home then uncovered a substance suspected to be illegal drugs at her residence in Tokyo.
Man A is believed to have since left Japan. The Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Narcotics Control Department has reportedly been investigating with a view to charging him with joint possession, in order to determine who actually owned the drugs.
In connection with the case, Yonekura released a statement last December, saying, "It is true that, as some reports have stated, investigators conducted a search of my home," and added, "I intend to continue cooperating with the investigation, but I understand that, for now, things have largely been settled based on the cooperation I have already provided."
Local media added that the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, which has received the case documents, is expected to carefully review how to proceed.
Born in 1975, Yonekura gained a large following among Korean viewers through the 2012 TV Asahi drama "Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon." The series concluded last year with the release of "Doctor-X: The Movie FINAL."
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter