1-year prison term sought for actor Iseya over cannabis possession

Dec 02, 2020 | News On Japan

Dec 02, 2020 (Kyodo) - Prosecutors sought a one-year prison term for Japanese actor Yusuke Iseya on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to cannabis possession in his trial at the Tokyo District Court, while his defense lawyers asked for a suspended sentence.

Wearing a dark suit and a black face mask, the 44-year-old, who was arrested in September at his home in Tokyo, said at the first hearing of his trial that he used cannabis for the first time in The Netherlands and relied on the drug to help him sleep better.

"I'm sorry for having betrayed many people who supported me," Iseya said. He did not disclose who supplied the drug.

His defense lawyers said Iseya's marijuana use was for easing stress and pressure, and that he used it more frequently while spending time at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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