Updated: Singer-Actress Noriko Sakai Missing

Mike Ferreira (Editor) — August 6th, 2009 — 23:44

Updates/Corrections:

    Sakai Tops iTunes Sales

    Matt Brown (Editor in Chief) — 08/12/2009 13:44 EST

    Proving once again that any PR is good PR, Noriko Sakai's "Aoi Usagi," hit song from way back in 1995, topped the iTunes Japan downloads chart yesterday. According to a Japan Today report, this happened despite Victor Entertainment's purge of Sakai listings on the store. (Victor also yanked her CDs from retail outlets.)

    That's gangsta.

    Noriko Sakai Arrested on Drug Charge

    Mike Ferreira (Editor) — 08/08/2009 23:09 EST

    Sakai-san was arrested earlier today after she surrendered herself to the Tokyo Police. Sakai is being held on allegations of drug possession, which she admitted to.

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Singer and actress Noriko Sakai is missing. She disappeared on Monday after her husband was arrested for alleged possession of illegal stimulants. Sakai's ten-year-old son was found in the care of a family friend yesterday. The child is safe and in good health.

Police traced Sakai's mobile phone signal to Yamanishi before the signal ceased Tuesday night. Sakai's family and managing agency both confirmed that they heard nothing from the actress since Monday.

In addition to her mainstream work, Sakai performed the theme songs to Anime Sanjushi, Gunbuster, and Video Girl Ai. She played a role in Soreike! Anpanman: Gomira no Hoshi, and narrated the Pokemon short, Pikachu and Pichu.