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Singer Noriko Sakai kicks surfer husband out of home

30 Comments

One evening in late May, Noriko Sakai was entering the luxury condominium that is her home with an armful of shopping bags, followed by her son. But her husband was nowhere to be seen.

Over 20 successful years as a singer and actress, Sakai, popularly known as Nori-P, has evolved from a young pop idol to a “mama-doru” (an idol who is also a mother), appearing on the cover of parenting magazines and performing in a PR film on the new jury system as a housewife.

In 1998, Sakai married a professional surfer, the son of the owner of a prominent sporting goods chain store. She learned to surf herself and used to invite her friends, SMAP member Takuya Kimura and singer Shizuka Kudo, who later married.

Besides her work in the entertainment industry, the singer/actress founded her own fashion brand and the public image of Sakai as a good mother and wife is well established.

But a friend says, “They are the kind of couple that often quarrel but in a way that usually doesn’t affect their marriage. Recently she came to consult about another fight they had… but something was different this time. It seems her husband is having an affair and she kicked him out of their home.”

The husband is currently staying at their vacation house in Chiba. According to his acquaintance, the husband initially said he was there to concentrate on surfing, but appeared depressed and admitted that his wife asked for a divorce.

On another Sunday afternoon, Nori-P left her home with her son, driving her Porsche. The husband was absent. Around 7 p.m., she came out again with her son and another boy who appeared to be a friend. Sakai returned an hour later with supermarket bags. The husband was not seen throughout the day.

So what’s really going on with the 11-year marriage?

A long-time friend of the couple disclosed that the two had a huge row during their trip to Okinawa during Golden Week. The husband admitted that it was his fault, but also complained that he was stressed about being acknowledged only as “Nori-P’s husband.”

Sakai’s pet name for her husband is “An-chan,” which comes from the main character in the TV drama that marked the change in her career from a pop idol to an actress. Even his nickname is related to Sakai’s work in the entertainment industry… perhaps having a famous idol as wife comes with its own problems.

As far as Shukan Post is aware, the couple is living separately. But the representative of Sakai’s management company denied any knowledge about estrangement or divorce between the couple. “I just spoke to her on the phone and she laughed and said her husband was sitting next to her.”

“It’s true that the two tend to get very emotional when they quarrel, and Sakai’s husband is often away to surf in Chiba. But there’s nothing new to that. And people get weary of married life. It happens to anyone.”

But the husband still hasn’t been seen at their home.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


30 Comments
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I noticed that the name of the person writing this article is conspicuously absent. I think somebody needs to get a life of their own, and stop camping out in front of other people's homes to see when their husbands come home. I believe the police call this stuff "stalking".

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I agree with Sharky1; Nori-P is being stalked. I suppose as long as the reporter doesn't chase her to her death like the paparazzi did to Lady-Di, it can be considered just work... but still, it leaves a bad feeling.

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Anyway, if her husband is too insecure to handle having a wife successful in her profession and his insecurity goes as much as making him think having an affair out of spite would be acceptable, I think Nori-P would be better off without him. He could also bring STD's home, including HIV so even for her own health, she better tighten the leash or just get rid of him. A man with healthy self-esteem would be better for her.

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This country will fall victim of too much freedom given to the media.

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no-one should give a toss about crap like this except the people involved, far too much detail given here

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Good human interest story.

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I was waiting for the 'this reporter appeared at her doorway with flowers in his overnight bag and a ready ear for Nori-sama's troubles...'

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I guess the writer didn't check out the great waves Chiba has been having lately. Any surfer would spend a lot of time in Chiba with those waves.

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"Noriko Sakai, poplarly known as Nori-P"

What's the "P"?

"It seems her husband is having an affair"

I'm really tired about hearing about all this infidelity.

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I think the P is just a cute nickname. I think another girl was called Yuu-P, also have hear Hana-P. Just one of those Japanese things I guess. About the affair, according to the sock-less one, isn't that a cultural thing? LOL!

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I struggle to see how this is a "good human interest story" It is just a nosy parker too wimpish to put a name to the story.Not a credible source at all.

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I've surfed with him and he is a drop-kick. She's better of without him.

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zzzzzzzzz

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I've had a crush on her ever since Heavens Coins.

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Japantoday needs to stay away from tabloid-like articles - they strongly "reduce the level of discussion" - as specified sometimes by The Moderators. Otherwise JT will loose at least one reader.

Moderator: The purpose of both the Shukan Post and Kuchikomi sections is to report to our readers what the Japanese are reading each week in the tabloid media.

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There are a lot of people who are interested in these kinds of articles. I guess the most common response to your comment is, if you aren't interested, why are you bothering to click on the article? By the way it's "lose" not "loose". Sorry, it's one of my pet peeves.

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Exactly, it's creepy someone's life is based around stalking people and reporting on their personal tragedies. That doesn't mean we won't love reading about other people's miseries.

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far too much reference to bling in this article. it's like consumer porn

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I've had a crush on her ever since Heavens Coins.

Looks like now is your big chance.

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The husband admitted that it was his fault, but also complained that he was stressed about being acknowledged only as “Nori-P’s husband.”

lol. Sounds so childish to me....must be another stereo type of a J man...Mama's Boy...:)

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Could've been worse. They could've called him Mr. P, or P-san in Japanese I guess. He shouldn't have been stressed, he should just make a name for himself, so he doesn't have to live in his wife's shadow.

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a surfer. what a life. in japan? i'd make better use of my time in japan.

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Well that is a bit of problem when one half is so successful esp. a woman in japan. maybe if he considered working it might help his self esteem...maybe he should consider that. i feel sorry for the kid.

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Nori-P left her home with her son, driving her Porsche. The husband was absent. Around 7 p.m., she came out again with her son and another boy who appeared to be a friend. Sakai returned an hour later with supermarket bags. The husband was not seen throughout the day.

Talk about a stalker to get that info. Were they spying in the bushes or something?

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Does this man actually have a name? Will he now be referred to as Nori-P's surfer ex-husband? This stalker/reporter needs to do more digging.

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I hate that the press does this to people. This is stalking and invasion of personal privacy. If a reporter wants information, they should do it in a straight-forward and honest fasion - ask for an interview. Stalking a celebrity is creepy and Ms. Sakai and her husband should be able to get a restraining order against people that do this kind of thing whether or not they are a deranged fan or a overzealous journalist. The public doesn't have a right to know about peoples private lives.

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dishdash, I think there was the same problem with Norika Fujiwara and her loser husband. What was his name? The guy couldn't handle his wife being more successful so he had affairs to prove to himself that he was still "the man." blah blah blah.

I'd be happy if my wife was so successful I didn't need to work. I'd take the kid out all the time and learn to cook and be a great house husband. maybe start a business on the side for a hobby, or volunteer or study. and drink a looooooot of good wine.

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On another Sunday afternoon, Nori-P left her home with her son. The husband was absent. Around 7 p.m., she came out again and returned an hour later. The husband was not seen throughout the day.<<<

Wow, sure sign of a pending divorce! (In which case, 80% of the households I know of are heading for divorce.)

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an air head talento married a surfer dude......... what do you expect ?

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She should put a Surf leash on the guy !

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