Reports coming out of Japan today state that popular Japanese wrestler NOSAWA Rongai (real name Kazushige Nosawa) and Io Shirai (real name Masami Odate) were arrested upon their arrival from Mexico at Narita Airport in the Chiba prefecture of Japan, due to police finding 75 grams of cannabis with a street value of 450,000 yen (approximately $5,000) inside a portrait. The cannabis was hidden inside a space between the picture and the frame.
NOSAWA and Shirai stated to the local police that they were presented the portraits as gifts from fans in Mexico, however that claim can’t be verified. Back in September 2006, former All Japan Pro Wrestling superstar Arashi was found to have a smaller amount of cannabis that he brought into the country and was given a 5 year prison sentence, with several years suspended, due to good behavior.
What hurts NOSAWA Rongai worse here is that he was scheduled to take up the role as the newest Black Tiger for New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Battle of the Super Juniors Tournament beginning May 27th. New Japan Pro Wrestling will be making a statement on the issue tomorrow.