Nori-P Trial Draws Thousands

The hottest ticket in town last week wasn’t for a concert or a movie, but rather for a trial.

More than 6,000 people lined up for a chance at one of 20 courtroom seats for the opening day of the Tokyo trial of former idol singer Noriko Sakai, who is charged with possessing and using “stimulant drugs,” generally believed to be methamphetamine.

During the Oct. 26 hearing, Nori-P, as she’s popularly referred to throughout Asia, admitted to the charges and basically blamed her husband, self-styled pro surfer Yuichi Takaso, who first offered her the drug four years ago.

The 38-year-old Sakai was reportedly in tears through most of the session and told the judge that she would probably seek a divorce and “study about the work of caring for the elderly.”