Shock Twist in Hiroya Shimizu Drug Case — Weed Buddy Arrested, More Stars Suspected!

Bowing deeply, he offered an apology

“I am truly sorry for what has happened.”

Appearing in front of the main entrance of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Wangan Station in a black suit, defendant Hiroya Shimizu (26) bowed deeply before more than 100 assembled reporters and fans.

“I sincerely regret betraying the trust of everyone who had expectations for my future as an actor — the people I’ve worked with and all my fans. I am truly, deeply sorry.”

With a tense expression but steady voice, he spoke his words of remorse, then once again bowed deeply.

A little after 7 p.m. on September 24, Shimizu, who had been indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act, was released from detention after paying bail of 2 million yen. On September 3, his home in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward was searched on suspicion that he had possessed marijuana around July 10. During the search, police discovered 0.4 grams of a plant fragment containing marijuana in a small bag, leading to his arrest. He was later indicted on September 22. The separate allegation of marijuana possession in July was dropped without indictment.

On the same day, there was another major development in the case.

“Around September 1, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested actor Kenshin Endo (24) and a man in his 20s who worked part-time, on suspicion of jointly possessing approximately 0.4 grams of dried marijuana at Shimizu’s home. After marijuana was found during the search of Shimizu’s residence on the 3rd, investigators also questioned the two who had been visiting there.

Endo reportedly denied the allegations, saying, ‘I have never possessed or used marijuana. I saw something that looked like it, but it wasn’t mine,’” said a reporter from the social affairs desk.

Endo began his career as a child actor in 2009 and steadily built his résumé. In 2021, he appeared in the NHK historical drama Reach Beyond the Blue Sky (Seiten wo Tsuke), playing the son of the protagonist Eiichi Shibusawa (portrayed by Ryo Yoshizawa). He had co-starred with Shimizu in the 2018 film Misumisou and the TBS drama Cheer☆Dan. Their friendship appears to have continued, as Shimizu reportedly attended a post-performance event for a stage play featuring Endo in March of this year.

Although Endo continues to deny the allegations

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, investigators who had been conducting an undercover investigation for eight months found that Endo had visited Shimizu’s home at least five times during that period. While Endo denies the charges, the testimony of the part-time male worker arrested alongside him tells a very different story.

“The part-time worker reportedly admitted, saying, ‘The marijuana was kept at Shimizu’s house so that we could smoke it together when we gathered.’ The we refers to four people — Shimizu himself, the woman who was living with him (later not indicted), Endo, and this part-time worker.

He also said, ‘I discussed with Shimizu which dealer to buy from, and we bought two grams of marijuana. It was for the four of us to smoke together,’ providing details about how they obtained it,” explained the same source.

What lies ahead for the case? Former narcotics officer Ryoji Takahama offered his insights:

“The police view this as a joint possession case involving the four individuals. Shimizu was responsible for providing the money and storing the marijuana, while the part-time worker handled the purchase. Endo and the cohabiting woman knew where it was kept and, due to their close relationship with Shimizu, were in a position to use it freely whenever they wanted.

Although Endo denies the allegations, the police likely already have substantial evidence — such as urine and hair test results, as well as records of messages or chat communications. This case is unusual because of the number of people involved. Since the other three have admitted their roles, if inconsistencies arise between their statements and Endo’s, he may have no choice but to confess. Additionally, the strong bond between Endo and Shimizu could be used as supporting evidence that Endo had access to the marijuana.

As the investigation progresses, the full picture of the case will likely come to light. Given that Shimizu’s home was the location where marijuana was smoked, there’s also a possibility that other figures in the entertainment industry may become implicated.”

With the arrests of Endo and the part-time worker, the overall structure of the case is finally becoming clearer. Shimizu, now released on bail, is reportedly being supported by his older brother, Naoya.