TOKYO (TR) – Kasumi Tochinai, a female acquaintance of troubled musician Aska, entered an innocent plea on drug charges at the Tokyo District Court on Monday, reports Nikkan Sports (July 23).
Tokyo Metropolitan Police first arrested Tochinai, 37, and Aska, one half of the pop duo Chage and Aska, at her apartment on May 17. Prosecutors have charged the former employee at staffing agency Pasona with possession and use of stimulant drugs.
“I have not used stimulant drugs,” she told the court. “Due to a mistake or through a third party (the drugs) were put in my body. There was no intentional use by me. I am innocent.”
According to the prosecutor, Aska, 56, whose real name is Shigeaki Miyazaki, met Tochinai in 2002 at a lavish banquet in Tokyo, hosted by Pasona founder Yasuyuki Nambu. Attendees also included executives and consultants at Pasona, a number of politicians and hostesses. The two began a relationship in 2004.
For Aska, prosecutors charged him with three drug offenses. During a search of his home in Meguro Ward, officers seized a glass pipe, powdered stimulant drugs and pills of the drug MDMA, which is known as Ecstasy. Officers also discovered semen-stained tissues that tested positive for drugs at the home of Tochinai.
On the day of the arrest, Tochinai returned to her apartment at approximately 3:00 a.m. after drinking with friends. Aska arrived about an hour later. The two had sex until 6:00 a.m., after which the singer ingested a sleeping pill and dozed off without taking a shower.
During the investigation, Tochinai denied the charges against her. But prosecutors indicated on Monday that an examination of her urine and hair tested positive for stimulant drugs.
Tochinai’s legal team countered by saying the positive result was possibly due to perspiration from Aska contaminating the results. As to the positive urine test, the lawyer said that it could be the result of the semen of Aska, who did not use contraception, mixing with Tochinai’s urine.
Aska was released on bail of seven million yen on July 3. His trial is scheduled to begin at the Tokyo District Court on August 28.
The next hearing for Tochinai is scheduled for September 9.
