Ryoko Yonekura, 50, a Japanese "national actor" suspected of possessing illegal drugs, was sent to prosecutors.
On the 21st, Japan's Fuji TV reported that Yonekura was sent to prosecutors without detention on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act and other charges.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's narcotics control department detected signs that Yonekura was involved in an illegal drug case with a male acquaintance of Argentine nationality and conducted a search of their residence in Aug. last year.
During the search, a substance suspected to be drugs was found, and testing confirmed it was an illegal drug. Investigators have proceeded on the possibility that Yonekura and the man jointly possessed the drugs, focusing on identifying the actual owner of the drugs and how they were used.
After the facts came to light, Yonekura said through her agency last month that "it is true, as some reports said, that a search of the home was conducted," but added, "I have cooperated faithfully with the investigation, and based on the inquiry so far, our position is that this matter has reached a conclusion for now."
She added, "There is nothing wrong with my condition," and "I will return to my original mindset and approach everything with sincerity. I ask for your continued support going forward."
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, which has taken over the case, plans to carefully review future measures, including whether to indict Yonekura.
Yonekura is a leading Japanese actor who gained huge popularity with TV Asahi's long-running drama "Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon" series. She is also well known in Korea and was appointed a "Korea culture and tourism goodwill ambassador" in 2003.