Amateur Fighter Faces Backlash Over Marijuana Cultivation and Middle Finger to Photographer

The suspect Akiyama snapped in front of the magazine’s camera

On the morning of April 28, a bald-headed man walked lazily while being escorted by police officers. Upon noticing the flash of the magazine’s camera, he furrowed his brows and glared at the photographer. Then, with handcuffs on, he raised both hands with his middle fingers extended in front of his chest, silently making a statement. Even when getting into the bus, he continued to glare at the photographer.

The man arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Honbu Fuji Station on suspicion of cultivating marijuana for distribution purposes was amateur fighter Akiyama Toshinari (31). On the 27th, Akiyama’s apartment in Minato Ward, Tokyo, was searched, and 26 grams of marijuana, valued at around 130,000 yen, were found in his possession for distribution purposes. He was arrested on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Law.

“Last August, the Cyber Patrol of the Metropolitan Police discovered traces of Akiyama having purchased marijuana seeds on the internet in February of the same year. During the search, equipment used for cultivation was also found. Akiyama is believed to have been growing the plants in a tent using LED lights and other equipment. Approximately 400 grams of plant material, believed to be marijuana, worth around 2 million yen, were seized.

Akiyama worked as an instructor at a martial arts gym in Tokyo. He was previously affiliated with a kickboxing gym and participated in amateur divisions of tournaments organized by stand-up fighting organizations. However, there have been no records of him participating in tournaments over the past two years.” (Reporter from the social affairs department)

During questioning, Akiyama partially denied the charges, stating, “The cultivation was all successful, and I certainly had marijuana, but it wasn’t for sale.” However, former narcotics officer Ryoji Takahama explained the following:

“Due to the spread of marijuana among young people in recent years, the Cannabis Control Law and Narcotics Control Law were amended, with the new regulations taking effect on December 12 of last year. Under the amended law, marijuana possession and use, which were previously violations of the Cannabis Control Law, are now punishable under the Narcotics Control Law, with up to seven years in prison for simple possession.

Regarding cultivation, the newly established ‘Cannabis Plant Cultivation Regulation Law’ now regulates it. Simple cultivation can result in imprisonment for one to ten years, while cultivation for profit can lead to imprisonment for one to twenty years, in addition to fines. As for the 400 grams of marijuana seized, it would take one person about three years to consume that amount even if used daily. Logically, this is far more than what one person could use for personal consumption.”

Akiyama’s stance of not for sale appears to be quite a weak defense, despite his confident attitude toward the magazine’s photographer.