Zombie Cigarette Scandal Rocks the Hiroshima Carp—Masaya Yano’s Response Leaves Owner Hajime Matsuda Furious

Why was Kazono let off without punishment?

Former Hiroshima Carp player Ryutaro Hazuki, 26, who received a suspended sentence after being convicted of using the designated drug etomidate, and defendant Ryosuke Takiguchi, 38, who was arrested on suspicion of supplying the drug, were among the people with whom Hiroshima Carp infielder Masaya Yano, 27, was photographed in seemingly close company by a photo magazine. On July 17, the team ordered Yano to be demoted to the third team indefinitely.

Since Hazuki was arrested in January this year, rumors have circulated within the baseball world about the involvement of several active players.

“The team reportedly conducted urine tests internally after receiving information from the Hiroshima Prefectural Police and also cooperated with the investigation. However, it has not disclosed the detailed results of the investigation. Manager Takahiro Arai, 49, and team executive director Kiyoshi Suzuki, 72, have both maintained that they know nothing about Hazuki’s statements.

There had even been exasperated voices within the organization saying, ‘They should just deal with this properly already.’ But at the Carp, the wishes of owner Gen Matsuda, 75, who is sometimes even called the ‘Emperor,’ are absolute. No matter how much the two may want to speak, they cannot say anything unless Matsuda gives them the go-ahead.” (Team insider)

Against this backdrop, the team’s decision to demote Yano to the third team was a severe measure that clearly differed from its previous responses. What was behind it?

“The photo magazine published three pictures. Two of them showed Yano and the arrested drug dealer spending time together in a bed and in a private room. The team immediately summoned Yano and questioned him about the situation. A team executive pressed him, saying, ‘Did you do it or didn’t you? If you didn’t, then say clearly that you didn’t.’ But Yano repeatedly gave ambiguous answers, saying, ‘Umm,’ and eventually fell silent.

Owner Matsuda, who had been watching the situation unfold until then, was furious at Yano’s unsatisfactory response even at this late stage. The demotion to the third team was not ordered by team executive director Suzuki; it was carried out in accordance with owner Matsuda’s wishes. At the Carp, Matsuda is the absolute authority. Yano had angered him, and there was no coming back from that. His teammates are worried, saying, ‘Yano might get cut this offseason.’” (Same source)

Meanwhile, there is another troubling point: Kaito Kozono, 26, and Shunsuke Tamura, 22, who were likewise reported by the photo magazine to have attended a drinking party with defendant Takiguchi, have both escaped disciplinary action.

“The team’s assessment is that they are almost guilty—at the very least, extremely suspicious. However, if the team were to interrogate them persistently or demand urine tests, there is a strong possibility that the players’ union would push back through lawyers, arguing, ‘You’re not a law-enforcement agency, so this is a violation of their human rights.’ That makes it difficult for the team to conduct a more intrusive investigation.

Kozono is also a key player who was selected for Samurai Japan. Perhaps owner Matsuda’s thinking is that the team, which has sunk into the B class this season, cannot afford to have its roster weakened any further. As for Tamura, he has been let off for the rather dubious reason that there is no photo of him with the drug dealer, so for now he is not being held accountable.

Since drug-related cases are generally handled through arrests made in the act, the police are unlikely to come after the two of them immediately. Even so, the pair are reportedly spending their days anxiously wondering whether new evidence of suspicion might emerge from an unexpected source. They certainly have little room to think about baseball right now.” (Former team official)

Yano won a Gold Glove Award in 2024 and had earned tremendous trust from his manager. If his professional baseball career were to be ruined by a scandal, it would be an especially sad outcome.