Shimizu’s defense team paid a bail bond of 2 million yen, allowing him to leave detention at the Tokyo Wangan Police Station. Upon his release, Shimizu bowed deeply before reporters and expressed his remorse, saying, “I sincerely apologize for the concern and trouble I have caused many people.”
Police have also arrested actor Kenshin Endo and a man in his twenties, who works part-time, both on suspicion of jointly possessing cannabis with Shimizu. These arrests were confirmed through interviews with investigators.
Shimizu was indicted on September 22nd after being arrested earlier this month for possessing dried cannabis at his Tokyo home. He walked out of detention around 7:15 p.m. on September 24th, wearing a black suit and tie. Facing reporters, he stated, “I am truly sorry,” before bowing for about 15 seconds and apologizing again for betraying the expectations of his fans and industry colleagues.
Making his film debut in 2012, Shimizu rose to prominence with roles in the popular “Tokyo Revengers” series and had been regarded as one of Japan’s most promising young actors.
During a past police interrogation, Shimizu admitted, “I first smoked cannabis at age 20 while studying abroad in Los Angeles. From around age 24, when my income increased, my usage grew.”
The Metropolitan Police Department believes that a man in his twenties acted as a buyer of cannabis for Shimizu. In questioning, Endo—who co-starred with Shimizu in a 2018 film and appeared in an NHK historical drama in 2021—denied involvement, stating, “I did see something like cannabis at Shimizu’s home, but it was not mine.”
Meanwhile, Shimizu admitted, “Each time, I handed cash to a friend and had them purchase cannabis for me.”
Fans, some of whom had gathered outside the police station hours before Shimizu’s release, expressed disappointment but also a desire to see him in person, fearing it might be their last chance.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147009.php
