The Importance of Jun Matsumoto’s Live Appearance Following Hiroya Shimizu’s Arrest

The NHK morning drama “Bakebake”, set to begin on September 29, has also dropped him, with compensation claims expected

Actor Hiroya Shimizu (26) was arrested on September 3 for violating the Narcotics Control Act (joint use) after dried cannabis was found in his home in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, spreading shockwaves through the industry. A woman in her 20s, who was living with him, was also arrested on the same charge.

During the house search, police seized 0.4 grams of dried cannabis, along with dozens of what appeared to be cannabis butts.

Shimizu made his acting debut in 2012 at the age of 13. In 2021, he appeared in the NHK morning drama “Okaeri Mone”. He also gained popularity as a distinctive young actor through appearances in films such as the Tokyo Revengers series (2021, 2023), becoming active in numerous movies and dramas. That’s why his sudden cannabis arrest has had such a major impact on the entertainment world.

He reportedly admitted that he first tried cannabis at a home party when he studied abroad in Los Angeles around age 20. He also stated that he first used it in Japan about four or five years ago.

Although there were periods when he refrained, he said that from around age 24—when his income increased—his cannabis use grew more frequent. At the same time, however, he has refused to disclose where he obtained it, saying:

“I can’t say where I bought it.”

“In the United States, cannabis has been legalized for recreational use in nearly half the states, such as California. People use it casually at parties, and it appears in films as well. But if he brought that American mindset to Japan and possessed or used cannabis here, it would be hard to deny that he underestimated Japanese law enforcement.

In Japan, cannabis is banned under the Narcotics Control Act, and possession is illegal. The more popular a celebrity is, the more their arrest makes the news, becoming part of anti-drug campaigns. Once information is reported, police are likely to investigate thoroughly,” said a national newspaper reporter.

Authorities reportedly began investigating after receiving information suggesting Shimizu was using cannabis.

“To prosecute cannabis possession, police need to physically seize the substance. Since it was kept at his home, they likely had a strong degree of certainty before moving in for the arrest,” the same reporter explained.

He is expected to be indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act (joint use).

“Since it’s his first offense, he’ll probably receive a guilty verdict with a suspended sentence. But the damage and impact on himself, his agency, and related productions are significant. He’ll likely be suspended for over a year after sentencing, and his removal from the upcoming NHK morning drama ‘Bakebake’ (starting September 29) will result in major financial losses for his agency,” said an entertainment industry insider.

Meanwhile, Shimizu had played Dr. Keita Kayama, an internist, in the TBS Sunday drama “The 19th Chart” starring Jun Matsumoto. For the final episode, which aired September 7, all of his scenes were cut, forcing the production team into last-minute adjustments.

On the night of September 6, the day before the broadcast, lead actor and cast leader Jun Matsumoto (42) made a rare live appearance on TBS’s “Hōsō 7days News Caster.” He spoke about Hiroya Shimizu’s cannabis case and the production’s response on “The 19th Chart.”

Matsumoto revealed his feelings:

“I worked with him on set, but I never sensed anything particularly unusual. When I learned of the situation from the morning news reports, I was shocked and found it hard to believe. More than anything, I was deeply shaken.”

He also added:

“We poured our efforts into this drama with the hope that it might help bring a more positive outlook to healthcare in Japan. That’s why, despite tackling such an important theme, it’s extremely disappointing that something like this happened.”

Matsumoto’s expression suggested he was somewhat worn down. No doubt he felt a strong sense of betrayal.

Final Episode Sees Major Ratings Boost After Arrest

The production team had to rush to re-edit the final episode, cutting all of Shimizu’s scenes. Commentator Kōki Mitani (64) expressed sympathy for the staff, saying:

“It must have been so painful for the staff, having to deliver such a high-quality, wonderful drama to viewers in an incomplete form.”

As for Matsumoto’s unusual live appearance, a TV network insider remarked:

“Even if it was tied to promotion, the fact that Matsumoto went on a news program live and spoke about the case really highlighted just how much trouble incidents like this cause for co-stars and staff, and how sad it makes them feel. That was significant. If this had been under the old Johnny’s office, they would never have let a talent appear in such a situation, choosing instead to protect them.”

What is Shimizu thinking now, held in custody at Wangan Police Station? Beyond reflecting on his crime, he should take Matsumoto’s and Director Mitani’s words deeply to heart.

Above all, Matsumoto’s decision to appear live—knowing it would spark mixed reactions—was courageous. In the end, it helped protect the integrity of “The 19th Chart.”

The final episode’s ratings rose sharply. While the media buzz played a role, it was Matsumoto’s candid sharing of his true feelings that won viewers’ trust and dispelled negative perceptions of the drama caused by Shimizu’s arrest. It showed that taking proactive action can be the strongest form of defense.

Even so, once again the entertainment industry faces a drug-related arrest. Shimizu remains silent about his source, but celebrities—because their popularity often means high incomes—are seen as potential big clients, making them frequent targets of temptation by dealers.

For the sake of preventing further incidents in the industry, it seems vital to uncover the supply routes behind Shimizu’s cannabis case.