Tokyo police rearrest influencer “Yamatorino” and partner over cocaine use
In short
Tokyo police rearrested Tazawa Rino, 27, who performs as “Yamatorino,” and her live-in partner Fukumoto Kota, 28, on Oct. 7 on suspicion of using cocaine and ketamine, Sankei Shimbun and broadcasters reported. The two had already been arrested in September for allegedly possessing about 0.4 grams of cocaine at their home in Roppongi, Minato-ku. Investigators said cocaine and ketamine were found in the apartment and urine tests were positive, while Tazawa has declined to comment and Fukumoto has admitted the allegations, according to the reports.
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Tokyo police rearrested Tazawa Rino, 27, who is known as the influencer “Yamatorino,” and her live-in partner Fukumoto Kota, 28, on Oct. 7 on suspicion of using cocaine and ketamine, Sankei Shimbun reported, citing investigative sources. The two were taken into custody again under the drugs law on suspicion of use, the report said. Several outlets, including Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun, TBS NEWS DIG and Nippon TV News, carried the same development. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The two had already been arrested in September on suspicion of possessing about 0.4 grams of cocaine at their home in Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, according to Sankei Shimbun and the broadcasters. TBS NEWS DIG said the possession arrest took place on Sept. 15. Sankei Shimbun reported that both have been indicted in that case, a detail the other documents do not mention. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Investigators suspect the two used cocaine and ketamine in September in Tokyo and elsewhere, according to Sankei Shimbun and Nippon TV News. Nippon TV News reported that cocaine and ketamine were found in the apartment where the two lived and that urine tests returned positive results, which led to the rearrest. [ 2 , 6 ]
On the allegations, Tazawa has declined to comment, while Fukumoto has admitted the suspicion, Sankei Shimbun reported. Nippon TV News quoted Fukumoto as saying, “It is true that I used it myself.” [ 2 , 6 ]
Outlets describe Tazawa's work differently. Sankei Shimbun described her as a company executive living in Roppongi, and Fukumoto as a company executive; TBS NEWS DIG and Nippon TV News described her as a cabaret club employee who also appears in YouTube programs and on social media as “Yamatorino,” with Nippon TV News describing Fukumoto as a company executive. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The case is a high-profile drug arrest involving a social media personality, and Tokyo police have now added a use allegation to an earlier possession case, which under Japan's drugs law can carry heavier consequences. Coverage across national papers and broadcasters shows the story is being followed as a criminal matter rather than an entertainment item.
Key facts
- Tokyo police rearrested Tazawa Rino, 27, and Fukumoto Kota, 28, on Oct. 7 on suspicion of using cocaine and ketamine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Tazawa is known as the influencer “Yamatorino,” active on YouTube programs and social media. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- The two had been arrested in September on suspicion of possessing about 0.4 grams of cocaine at their home in Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Investigators said cocaine and ketamine were found in the apartment the two shared and that urine tests were positive, which led to the rearrest, according to Nippon TV News. [ 6 ]
- The alleged use took place in September in Tokyo and elsewhere, according to investigative sources. [ 2 , 6 ]
- Tazawa has declined to comment, while Fukumoto has admitted the allegation, according to reports. [ 2 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Tokyo police rearrested Tazawa Rino and Fukumoto Kota on Oct. 7 on suspicion of using cocaine and ketamine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The two had been arrested in September on suspicion of possessing about 0.4 grams of cocaine at their home in Minato-ku, Tokyo. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Tazawa, 27, is known as the influencer “Yamatorino” and appears in YouTube programs and on social media. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
- Tazawa has declined to comment and Fukumoto has admitted the allegation, according to investigative sources. [ 2 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Descriptions of Tazawa's occupation differ between outlets. Sankei Shimbun describes her as a company executive resident in Roppongi, Minato-ku, while TBS NEWS DIG and Nippon TV News describe her as a cabaret club employee who also works as the social media personality “Yamatorino.”
- The exact dates and locations of the alleged cocaine and ketamine use. The documents say only that it took place in September in Tokyo and elsewhere, without further detail.
- The status of the earlier possession case. Sankei Shimbun states that both people have already been indicted under the drugs law in the possession case; the other documents do not mention an indictment.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Livedoor News reports the rearrest of Tazawa Rino and a second person on suspicion of cocaine use. [ 1 ]
- Sankei Shimbun reports the Metropolitan Police Department rearrested Tazawa and Fukumoto on Oct. 7 on suspicion of using cocaine and ketamine in September, and that Tazawa declined to comment while Fukumoto admitted the allegation. [ 2 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports Tazawa was arrested on Sept. 15 at her Roppongi home on suspicion of possessing 0.4 grams of cocaine. [ 5 ]
- Nippon TV News reports cocaine and ketamine were found in the apartment the two shared and that urine tests were positive, leading to the rearrest. [ 6 ]