Erika Sawajiri: 3 and a half years after her shocking hiatus, we catch an exclusive glimpse of her beautiful, unchanged smile.

Ding, ding, ding…… to the bass and drum heavy bass from the car stereo, her fingers tapping out a rhythm and surrendering to the groove. In the line of cars waiting at the traffic lights, the coupe with Erika Sawajiri (37) at the wheel had an overwhelming presence.

After about 20 minutes of driving, she pulled up in front of a convenience store and got out of the driver’s seat with her purse in hand. There was no one in the car. It appeared that he was driving alone.

Since her arrest by the Metropolitan Police Department in November 2007 for possession of the synthetic drug MDMA, Sawajiri has disappeared from the public eye.

Although it was once rumored that she had gained 20 kg due to stress, her style has not changed at all. In fact, she may have tanned her skin a bit, and her pheromones even seem to have increased.

Wearing only chain glasses and no mask or cap to disguise herself, Sawajiri proudly entered a Natural Lawson store. After picking up the item she wanted, she stood alone at the cash register. Next, she headed to Matsumotokiyoshi. She drove further, this time to a store specializing in vintage sunglasses. Here, she came into contact with someone for the first time.

A handsome man with long hair resembling Nobuyoshi Kuwano of the popular chorus group “Razz & Star” came out of the store with Sawajiri.

The two went on to visit a nearby jewelry store. I was curious about her relationship with the handsome man, but she said good-bye to him at this point. As they parted, Sawajiri’s smile flashed for the first time in a while.

The shopping trip ended with a stop at a select store frequented by celebrities. Sawajiri headed home.

About six months earlier, Sawajiri was at a small Korean restaurant in Tokyo. Across the table from her was Kazuyuki Izutsu (70). Kazuyuki Izutsu, 70, was the director of her first film, “Patchgi! the film that launched her career.

I think it was in mid-December. I remember there were three people there, Sawajiri, a man, and Mr. Izutsu. The director said, “Don’t be in a hurry. The director said, “Don’t be in a hurry, take your time. If I could start on the stage, I would start with …….’ She then said, ‘If I get an offer, I will make a movie.

After that, the director asked Sawajiri if she would do a movie if she got an offer. Sawajiri made me laugh by saying, “If the director will do it! Sawajiri made me laugh. But nothing concrete had been decided yet.

A senior entertainment industry executive said, “Sawajiri’s arrest has caused a lot of problems.

A senior executive of an entertainment company said, “It is said that Sawajiri’s arrest cost the company 500 to 700 million yen in penalties and other damages. She is deeply sorry and has spent the past three and a half years quietly, canceling her cell phone and organizing her friendships. Already her agency, Avex, has been inundated with job offers, but I’m sure they are thinking of business that can be expanded to a larger scale, not just a one-off.”

Her suspended sentence was lifted in February of this year, and there are no obstacles to her return to work. Judging by the blithe smile on her face, it seems that the day of her comeback is near.

I was waiting for this smiley face!
Good visibility for his comeback!

From the June 30, 2023 issue of FRIDAY