The arrest of singer-actress Noriko Sakai, 38, this month in connection with illegal drugs shattered the image of a star who in the 1980s parlayed being cute and innocent into idol status.
The drug bust that netted Sakai and her husband came just three months after SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, 35, known for his rather meek character, was arrested for drunken nudity in a Tokyo park late at night.
Both have been regular fixtures on popular TV shows, drawn in droves for concerts and been featured on the covers of magazines. After a brief repentant timeout, Kusanagi returned as a star. Due to the charges against her, whether Sakai can return to public favor is an open question.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.