Should Noriko Sakai do jail time for possession and use of stimulants?

I dont know who that is but you should not go to jail just for that

NO!

A suspended sentence would suffice this time, I think.

She should be sentenced to house arrest.

At my house.

Only if it's her third offence, but then she should go down for life (someone has to make the licence plates).

No, I think she should do nude photobook and give the proceeds to some organizations fighting drug abuse.

Should he do jail time should not be the question. The question should be: Was he given a suspended sentence because he is a tarento and how would Naoki Average have faired by comparison?

Moderator: Sentence hasn't been passed yet.

NO!

For possession of 0.008 grams of speed? No.

Absolutely not. They've already destroyed her, no need to separate a mother and child over such a trifling offense.

And is it a good idea to encourage Japan Today readers to be judge and jury?

Of course, 5 years minimum.

No! Manabu Oshio did far worse and he's still out on the streets.

She's going back to school to be a caregiver...long hours and backbreaking work...might need a pick-me-up...

of course not. Besides, Under Japanese law, Sakai will just get probation. Just jike Oshio... but they better find a way to pin some jail time for the death of that woman...

NO. Besides, all the TV producers are lining up, getting ready for the big Noripi comeback tell-all! She's too marketable, good or bad, for TV to give up on her now. Watch and see.

Yes, if anyone was hurt by her actions. No, if it's a victimless crime.

No. But I would like to see some jail time for the "journalists" who bombarded us with news about this. They saw to it that she was severly punished by media before guilt was even established.

Nope, mandatory rehab and the work as anti-drug spokesperson.

Moderator: Sentence hasn't been passed yet.

Woops! Pardon my confusion. I get mixed up with so many of these tarrentos in trouble for drugs. It was the joker yesterday that got a suspended sentence. He was also the one that left a body in the the hotel room, right?

What would happen to me if I committed the same offence? I expect I would serve some time. We will forget about the getting deported afterward thing. Does not apply to Noriko Sakai.

No.

No, she should not do time. But if she cleans up, she should call me.

yes, with lots of soap time

Nope, but she should be kept under constant surveillance by me

Is this **** still in the news? Let her live her life in private. It is not our business if she goes to prison or not for the use of drugs.

A spanking, of course. But who will give it?

No, but then again neither should anyone else under the same circumstances. Celebrities aren't special, but that works both ways.

Definitely, I think at least 5 years with hard labor is in order for this woman, the pro-surfer (lol) should also do some serious time. I also hope that the judge delivers some form of injunction to stop her benefiting from this notoriety, in addition to looking at some contempt charges for the media institutions that have trod on the authority of the court. Furthermore, the judge should instruct the director of public prosecutions to look into the matter of who sheltered this woman once a warrant had been issued for her arrest. Any and all such persons should be prosecuted for aiding and abetting a suspected felon. In all instances, such prosecutions should be to the full extent of the law.

timorborder,Either you are joking or completely insane

Why are the media still reporting the drug as 'stimulants'? What's the problem with using the actual name of the drug?

No to jail.

No, I don't support the death penalty because the legal system is fallible. Then again, this is not a death penalty discussion.

At the same time, however, I don't buy into arguments that personal consumption of illegal drugs does not represent a serious offense or a victimless crime. In this and other societies, I am sick of persons of privilege basically thumbing their nose at the legal system, especially when normal folk tend to get the short end of the stick when facing similar circumstances. I also don't like the idea that Ms. Sakai could possibly benefit from her crimes courtesy of interview fees, book royalties, etc. As such, I really hope the presiding judge sees through the smoke (the idea of Sakai studying to be a home-helper is laughable) and sends this woman down for some serious time. Indeed, if the law is to be seen as being blind and fair (in that the administering of justice is done without fear or favor), if there are any precedents of normal folk getting sent down for similar amounts of drugs, the judge has a responsibility to punish Sakai likewise.

I wouldn't recommend trying to argue with Dr. timorborder. He has a very immovable opinion and will not listen to any logic, no matter how clearly and intelligently you present it.

As for my 2 cents, jail time is no good. If she really did such a tragic blow to society by taking illicit drugs, having society pay her food and board for a few years seems silly. If you really want to do something that is effectively "anti-drug," hit her with a fine, then as community service she has to do a campaign of interviews and advertisements detailing how dark and evil drugs are and how they ruined her life. I believe that anti-drug campaigns are weak deterrents in the first pace, but I think this would be more effective than the current media parade.

Dr. timorborder:

You use "pro-surfer" in quotes, but it was proven that his name was registered in whatever pro-surfing association Japan has, so no need for them.

My mistake, it wasn't in quotes here. Just "lol"'d.

No way! It's a joke that she was even charged for possessing such a tiny amount. Putting anyone away for simple possession is ridiculous and doesn't solve anything. (timorborder: Noone gets 'hardtime' for a misdemeanor) She will get a suspended sentence as long as it's her first conviction. This isn't special star treatment. It's the usual punishment for this crime. If they really want to clean up 'dangerous' drug users so they don't cause some kind of harm society, give them rehab and suitable community service.

I think the Ethics Committee who weighed in the other day would say that JT should offer some warnings about the dangers of drugs to compensate for their contribution to the 'overheated' coverage of Ms Sakai.

As for jail time - no. Community service would be enough.

I'm not if favor of jailing substance abusers. Some sort of state enforced rehab is much more appropriate.

No jail time of course !!! Come on, Japan has to loosen up a bit on this "drug use" sentences... (you can do jail time for possession of a few joints overthere, that's insane !!) Community service and/or some kind of enforced rehab, as some here said, ok ! but jail?? No way !!! (especialy for that kind of amount of drug found !!) Anyway, we'll see what will be the final sentence...

Usually they send these folks to mandatory re-hab centers. Lemme guess, Japan doesn't have 'em?

it will be up to the jury to decide, but as the new poster child for drug abuse I would expect some media coverage.

-We should never encourage negative behavior either -so their must be some form of punishment. Jail time or community service.

She be treated exactly how other defendats are treated, and given the same rights as well.

Community service at my home will do.....lets say 2 years hey!!!

it will be up to the jury to decide

...what jury?

0.08g of drugs where found on her so she must be given a harsh sentence of at least 10years to show all the other young and easily influenced japanese people that drugs are bad. Because they obviously can not make up their own minds. The fact that this will be treating her differently than if she was just a normal person doesnt matter because she is a celeb and we own her and she has significant influence over the minds of our children so must be treated much more harshly to reflect this. If she is given a light sentence it will send the wrong message and drug use will spiral out of control and destroy japanese society.

also she should never be allowed to work in kids tv or on tv at all for that matter, her work must be strictly limited to the adult video market. I personally will take care of all direction and construction of such videos as i feel it my duty to do this in thanks for everything japan has done for me

No, absolutely not.

This whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Had this been say in Canada or the US, the cops would have taken her and the hubby into an interview room, sat their butts down, and given them a choice:

A) Get your name dragged through the media mud or

B) Give us some names of dealers.

The whole thing would have never gotten this far but unfortunately the J-police want to appear tough on crime. It's like when the cops drive their little cars around the neighborhood with the lights on: it's all for show. Anyway, the last thing the keystones want to admit is that there is a drug problem, if they did, then they'd actually have to do some real work. Further, had this been in the west, the celebs (those with talent) would have gone to rehab and that would be that.

Ah well, the real tragedy of all this is that the two panicked. He should have just swallowed the stuff and claimed it was cold medicine, sh should have just strolled into the police station and acted.

The media already gave her a death sentence...leave her be. She should be allowed to go home, preferably in another country to start over.

Good post CoolCali! Why the cops don't go after the bigger fish rather than wasting so much time and money on these little fish is beyond me!

Maybe she should take a nice vacation in Malaysia.

NO. Drug laws are stupid and in any event for this tiny amount any penalty makes no sense. She was previously a productive (?) memeber of society, what's the point of putting her away?

no, she shouldn't even been arrested. This shouldn't be in the news. I bet they are doing it to steer public attention from corruption in politics, failing economy and massive government debt that these keynsean masters have accumlated.

No! not at all. Why? Who has she hurt or done wrong? Who is complaining? Plus, where in her contract it says that she should be extra careful of her actions because she is a star? She didn't ask people to love her, idolize her. If anything, people should realize that they have idolized a wrong person and quit doing it. What people chose to consume/enjoy is their business and as long as no harm done, there should be no punishment.

No, she should not do any jail time. In nations with commonsensical drug laws and punishments, it is well established that first time offenders to not do jail time. They are ordered to attend drug programs, comply with various probation requirements, etc., but simply imprisoning the offender will not at all do justice or help the offender avoid a second conviction.