Major Japanese entertainment agency Avex, a leader in the country’s music scene, issued an official statement on the 24th regarding the arrest of a producer and employee of one of its affiliated groups on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Law.
This shocking news occurred during the world tour of the popular girl group “XG,” which is expanding its global reach, sending shockwaves throughout the entire entertainment industry.
Details of the Incident and Arrest
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Narcotics and Firearms Division, around 12:20 AM on the 23rd, four men, including company executive Junho Sakai, were arrested in flagrante delicto for possessing cocaine in a hotel room in Aichi Prefecture.
Suspect Sakai, known by the name “SIMON,” was highly regarded both within and outside the industry as the central figure overseeing XG’s comprehensive production.
According to investigative sources, not only one bag of cocaine but also multiple additional bags of cocaine and plant fragments believed to be dried marijuana were discovered at the scene. Police are carefully investigating the source of the drugs and whether habitual use was involved.
The timing of these arrests is particularly serious, occurring while XG was in the midst of their world tour.
The day before the arrests, on the 22nd, a concert was held in Nagoya, with suspect Sakai accompanying the group as staff.
As the incident occurred at their lodging after the live performance, fans are expressing shock and rapidly growing concern about the group’s future activities.
Avex’s Apology and Organizational Responsibility
Following the incident’s disclosure, Avex acknowledged the facts via its official website, stating, “Some media outlets have reported the arrest of an individual associated with our company and an employee of our group.”
The company emphasized its full cooperation with the police investigation and deeply apologized for causing significant concern and inconvenience to all parties involved and to the fans.
Among the four arrested are suspect Sakai, two current Avex employees, and suspect Kim Michael Chung, who claims to be a music producer for “XGALX,” the agency representing XG. This has raised questions about the company’s organizational management structure.
Impact on the Music Industry and Future Outlook
XG is a group that has garnered enthusiastic support not only in Japan but also overseas, thanks to its innovative musicality and overwhelming performances.
The misconduct of the producer, a key figure in their success, could deal an immeasurable blow to future project progress and brand image.
Particularly, compliance violations occurring while pursuing global-standard activities could potentially affect international partnerships and contractual relationships.
As police investigations continue, attention is focused on what preventive measures Avex will implement and how it will protect the artists’ activities.
With the deep-rooted problem of drug contamination in creative environments now starkly highlighted, the entire industry is being compelled to rigorously enforce compliance and strengthen governance.
