[Verdict Aug. 31] Former Japan Volleyball Player Sato Admits Cannabis Possession—What Concerns Remain Over His Sentence?

The Japan men’s national volleyball team advanced through the preliminary round of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League undefeated. After defeating China in the semifinal on the 29th, the team secured a place in the final four. Meanwhile, former national team member and defendant Shunichiro Sato (26), who had been part of the national team until just before the tournament, was at the Tokyo District Court at around 9:30 a.m. on July 24. His first trial was held that day.

Carrying a paper bag in one hand and dressed in a suit, Sato stood out even from a distance due to his exceptionally tall stature. He entered the building with a somewhat nervous expression, escorted by a court employee who was about two head-heights shorter than him.

Sato was arrested on May 28 on suspicion of possessing 0.8 grams of dried cannabis, in violation of the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.

“On the previous day, May 27, the national team was holding a training camp at the National Training Center in Tokyo. There was no team practice that day, and the players had free time from the early afternoon. Sato reportedly went to a pachinko parlor with several teammates. It was there that dried cannabis was found inside a bag he had left behind, prompting the store to contact the police. Sato had joined the national team on the 25th and had participated in regular practice on the 26th.

On the 28th, the day of his arrest, the team had been scheduled to hold a kickoff press conference, at which the head coach and players were to discuss their aspirations for the current season. The event was canceled, and association officials instead held an emergency briefing and apology. Sato’s registration with the national team was immediately revoked. All players and staff members also underwent inspections of their belongings, but no issues were found among them.

Hiroyuki Kokubu, executive director of the Japan Volleyball Association, said of the other players, ‘They are quite emotionally shaken after one of their teammates was arrested. As a national team, we are at our lowest point.’”(National newspaper social affairs reporter)

At his first hearing on July 24, Sato admitted to the charges against him.

“According to the prosecution’s opening statement, Sato had been using cannabis since around his first or second year of university. In May of this year, he reportedly began frequently purchasing it from a dealer he had found online and using it with his romantic partner. He eventually began thinking that he wanted to use it during the Japan national team’s training camp as well, and brought it with him.” (Same source)

Points of Concern Raised by a Former Narcotics Control Officer

According to defendant Sato, “I had a weak side to me, and I ended up trying it,” and “I refrained from using it during the season, but when I had a long break, I would let myself go.” He also apologized, saying, “I feel terribly sorry that I did something like this while representing Japan.”

Prosecutors sought a sentence of one year in prison, arguing that the offense was habitual and demonstrated a lack of respect for the law. The defense, meanwhile, requested a suspended sentence, arguing that Sato had already suffered significant social punishment.

What kind of sentence will Sato receive? Former narcotics control officer Ryoji Takahama offered the following assessment:

“Since this was not a case involving cultivation for profit and it is his first offense, I think he will receive a suspended sentence. He has honestly admitted to the offense and fully disclosed what he did, so the judge will likely view him favorably in terms of the circumstances surrounding the case as well.

However, what concerns me is the fact that he brought cannabis with him even to the national team’s training camp. Cannabis users often consume it when they have some leeway, such as when they have the following day off. Sato himself testified in court that he did not use it during the season, but the fact that he brought it to the training camp suggests a fairly high degree of habitual use and dependence. With the hope that he will be able to turn his life around in the future, I think the suspended sentence could be around three years.”

Sato, a middle blocker who plays in the center of the front row, was first selected for the Japan national team in 2018, when he was a high school senior, with his 205-cm height as his greatest asset. He also played in Finland’s league during the 2024–25 season and appeared in last year’s Volleyball Nations League, making him one of Japan’s promising young players. During the trial, it was also revealed that he was scheduled to transfer to a professional team in Goa, India.

The verdict will be handed down on the 31st.

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