TOKYO (TR) – Following the arrest of two members of its staff over the alleged possession of cocaine early Monday, music label Avex has issued a statement saying it will cooperate with the investigation.
At around 12:30 a.m. on Monday, Tokyo Metropolitan Police found Avex employees Yudai Hasegawa, 38, and Noritoshi Yanagawa, 51, to be in possession of four bags of cocaine and one bag of marijuana at a hotel in Aichi Prefecture.
On Tuesday, Avex posted a statement on its website. “Some media outlets have reported the arrest of individuals associated with our company and employees of our group.” It also stated, “Police are currently investigating, and our company will fully cooperate.”
Police also apprehended was Simon, whose real name is Junho Sakai, and one other suspect, 39-year-old Michael Chon Kim.
Sakai, also 39, is the producer of the globally active all-girl music group XG, which performed in Nagoya the night before the bust.
All four suspects were accused of violating the Narcotics Control Act.
Police believe the suspects have been using illegal drugs for at least a year. The raid was conducted after police received a tip.
XG’s official X account also posted a statement. It read, “XG was not involved in any way. We are very surprised and confused by this.”
