Japanese singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara admits to drug possession: sources

TOKYO -- Japanese singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara, under arrest on suspicion of possessing stimulants and other illegal drugs, has admitted to the allegations during questioning, those linked to the investigation said.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating whether he used the drugs.

The MPD arrested Makihara, 50, on Feb. 13 at his home in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward on suspicion of possessing 0.083 grams of crystalized stimulants and 64.2 milliliters of the "popper" Rush at his then apartment in the capital's Minato Ward between March and April 2018.

According to the sources, police confiscated at least one glass pipe he apparently used to inhale drugs at his Minato Ward home. A man who had been living with Makihara was quoted as telling investigators that he had given drugs to the singer.

(Japanese original by Yuki Yamamoto, City News Department)