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Erika Sawajiri gives up studying for Spanish nightlife

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Very little has been heard about actress Erika Sawajiri after she was dismissed from her agency a month and half ago. She left for Spain in late September, avoiding the eyes of the media. The actress has not been seen anywhere nor has she made any public statements.

Most people who know her haven’t the slightest clue as to what she is doing. Asked about Sawajiri’s whereabouts, an acquaintance commented, “She used to contact me shortly after her arrival in Spain, saying she was having difficulties with the language and that she had too much time on her hands. It sounded as though she wanted to return to Japan, and I was a bit concerned about problems with her husband. I haven’t heard from her at all recently. I want to know what’s going on.”

The actress’ life in Spain had been a mystery until recently when it was confirmed that she had been attending classes at a language school located in the inner city district of Barcelona. According to the language instructor, “It was shortly before summer that a very pretty girl from Japan joined the class. I often saw her sitting outside drinking coffee... Her name’s Erika Takashiro. I heard she’s a famous actress in Japan. She was attending class with her husband.”

According to the school staff, the couple had signed up for a short-term intensive course that cost 2,000 euros per student. Apparently, though, their studies didn’t last too long. The instructor confirmed that the two stopped attending after a month.

Sawajiri lives in the vicinity of this language school, an area popular among the art and fashion minded, with stylish cafes and boutiques as well as historical structures. A Japanese expatriate residing in Barcelona says, “I happen to frequent a restaurant that Takashiro visits regularly. The staff there told me that the couple wasn’t satisfied with a rental apartment that cost 1,500 euros and chose a more expensive place. 1,500 euros is like a 100-square-meter apartment. They must have gotten a pretty extravagant apartment.”

Sawajiri was known for clubbing before her agency terminated their contract, and indeed there are several clubs that would be to her liking in the same area. However, she seems to have found a different way to keep herself entertained. A nightclub staff explained about a "secret" party that requires a member’s introduction to join. “No paparazzi or police, so celebrities can have fun with no worries. Takashiro is well acquainted with DJs overseas, so he has the connections. It’s hard to find out when and where such parties are held because they use coded messages to pass on information.”

And so it appears Sawajiri is enjoying the Spanish nightlife instead of studying. The question is, how long will this last? “She must be getting pretty bored by now,” says a friend of Sawajiri. “She has her pride as an actress and knows well how much she can earn. Something’s bound to happen soon.”

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38 Comments
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How on Earth can this be considered Feature News? A celebrity gossip column would be a better fit.

Moderator: That's exactly what it is. It's from Shukan Post and not meant to be anything else.

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It will be interesting to see how long it does take her to get bored.

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Pretty ?? What's with the forehead thing and goofy face ? Like a younger tackier Uno.

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her career is pretty much over. what a shame. she had a lot going for her...

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Gives up studies not because it's hard, time-consuming and difficult, but "to party"? Once. You'd have to look hard for a more sensationalistic headline.

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response to this news item a la sawajiri: "betsu ni"

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Nothing wrong with bit of partying in one of the meccas of Europe. Live fast Erika! Spend hubby's money like there's no tomorrow! When that runs out, then feel free to join the AV industry.

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The teddy bear holds the secret to her success! But you can see it depressed after the contract was over and they were dismissed!

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the failtrain never stops choo chooooo~

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She could learn from Spanish actors. I think they work 1000 times better than the ones she probably has learned from. But if the purpose is just partying, well, she went to the right place :)

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talking about stereotypes: you have a cute child idol, turned gravure idol, made to believe she can act, holding a teddy-bear and a big camera on an airport by the way, it shouldn't be that hard for her to learn Spanish, since she is half French

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it shouldn't be that hard for her to learn Spanish, since she is half French

Talk about presumptuous stereotyping, unless she was raised in an environment where her ear could become attuned to French or any other foreign language, her ethnic/blood background doesn't prove any "ability." Look at all the half-Japanese, half-foreign persons raised completely or mainly in Japan who can't speak a second language besides Japanese.

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timeon-

since she is half French

Well, I don't think that matters.. because her French mother speaks fluent Japanese and I heard this girl doesn't speak French.

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Poor Erika. It sounds like she's having a rough go of things right now. Who exactly is she again?

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well, since her dad died when she was still young, I thought there was some French influence at home. of course, I may be wrong. and there was some research about aptitudes of mixed children, but as far as I know it was inconclusive. and Jung's work also suggested some related things

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yeah the teddy bear is a nice touch...how old is she again ? 11 ?

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Erika is a tool. When she's hit rock bottom I'll consider starting to have some sympathy for her. Unfortunately, she's one of those people who will probably get away with anything her whole life -- so that rock bottom thing takes some time. She'll definitely be bitter within a decade or so, that's for sure.

I've always been curious about the etymology of her family name. Most Japanese names are based on either job or geography, so which one does her 'butt' come into? I know she's basically prostituted herself out to her hubby, but I'm honestly curious.

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Isn't going to Barcelona to learn Spanish a little like going to Quebec to learn English? Right country, wrong city.

Though if you're going to blow through a ton of cash and party party party I'm sure there's no place better.

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Who?

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Is it Spanish or Catalan? My brother-in-law lives and works there. He told me that they do not speak Spanish there, it is Catalan and people there regards themselves as higher social class than the rest of Spain.

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The cynics are here again, happy upon finding another Erika Sawajiri article.

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Smart to keep your partying out of J land look at Nori=P for an example. Don't let the coppers near your hair when you get back.

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That's a cute teddy bear

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I can understand why she's dropped out of her language classes, with all the partying Barca has to offer, her brain must be fried.

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Is it Spanish or Catalan? My brother-in-law lives and works there. He told me that they do not speak Spanish there

That was my point. I really doubt she was in a Catalan language school, so it's a weird place to go to learn Spanish.

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I've been to Barcelona and I rarely heard Catalan spoken, but of course you also have the Catalan TV and signs everywhere, and since it is quite similar to Spanish, foreigners would have problems to distinguish between the two. They may end up mixing both languages. I don't think it's a good place to learn Spanish. Probably she did not consider seriously the Spanish classes. Madrid would have been better and the is plenty of nightlife too (Real Madrid players remind us of this all the time...)

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What's the Spanish for Sawajiri?

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Is her family rich, excluding the soon to be ex-hubby? With no real talent, her can only take her so far. Wish I have a time capsule and see how she will be in 10 years.

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You have to study to have a Spanish nightlife?

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Goodguy, apparently her dad had 16 racehorses and a French wife :) But you are not right about talent: she was a child kawaii idol, then a gravure idol = big talent (actress, singer, you name it)

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Spanishwoman at 09:35 AM JST - 19th November

“I've been to Barcelona and I rarely heard Catalan spoken”

Really? That sounds very strange, granted if you speak Spanish to a Catalan they do tend to speak Spanish back assuming that you don’t speak their language. Normally Catalans only speak Catalan.

As for learning Spanish in Barcelona, it’s normal; there are a number of academies because believe it or not Catalans do need to learn the language if they plan on working outside Catalonia. The two languages ARE VERY different. Catalan owes as much to French as it does Spanish. And there is no way of mistaking one for the other of any of these three languages. And I cannot for one moment imagine Erika even trying to learn Catalan, they have even more accents to master than either the French or Spanish.

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In Catalonia, citizens are totally bilingual in Spanish (called more politically correct Castillian in the regions with co-official Hispanic Peninsular languages) and Catalan. because the educational system is. Furthermore, in Barcelona Castillian is more spoken. I know it because I have lived in Barcelona for more than 10 years and there are many laughing comments here. On the other hand, if you meet people that speak you only in Catalan knowing that you are a foreigner they are only pulling your leg. Everybody speaks and understands both languages...

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Spanish for sawajiri toca mi culo

Catalan was outlawed for decades and everyone was made to speak Spanish, all schools Spanish. Now they are free. The languages are similar but yet different. Like Spanish and Italian. Everyone is bilingual Sp/ Cat.

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Spanish for sawajiri

Or it could be

Rio de culo.

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Yup, the girl is lost now!!!

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What a great idea: reject a chance to learn the language of the land and some of the culture for worthless nightlife that will basicaly get you no where...

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Another Noriko Sakai in the making, if she doesn't either ditch her husband or start working again.

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This is a great post. you got cheap shoes online .I like cheap designer shoes as well give you designer shoes outlet

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