TOKYO (TR) – A court here has handed professional fighter Minoru “Philip” Kimura a suspended prison term for possessing marijuana at a railway station in Nishitokyo City earlier this year.
On Tuesday, the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court handed Kimura a six-month prison sentence, suspended for three years, for possessing marijuana at Hibarigaoka Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line in October, reports TBS News (Dec. 24).
In handing down the ruling, the presiding judge pointed out that Kumura “repeatedly used marijuana one or two weeks before participating in a tournament, and that he has an affinity for marijuana, a dependence on it and habitually possesses it.”
During the trial, Kimura, a kick boxer and former “K-1 WORLD GP” champion, admitted to the charges. He stated that his motive was “to relieve the pressure before a match.”
The prosecution had sought a six-month prison sentence, citing “the possibility of reoffending” as the reason. Meanwhile, the defense had sought a suspended sentence.
“The defendant is in a position that attracts public attention. Therefore, the social impact of committing the crime of marijuana possession so easily cannot be overlooked,” the judge added.
As Kimura sat in silence, the judge said in conclusion, “If you commit another crime, your suspended sentence will be revoked. So, please make sure to rehabilitate yourself in society so that it doesn’t happen again.”
