Photos of a “Grand Banquet” Held in Yamagata One Week After the “7-Year Prison Sentence Request” for Defendant Shinji Saito, Former Member of “Janpoke”

—all while facing a high likelihood of a prison sentence…

Inside a certain mixed-use complex in Yamagata City, there is a yakiniku restaurant beloved by locals for serving top-grade Yamagata beef at reasonable prices. One night in mid-August, several men emerged from this popular restaurant. Perhaps having savored the local specialty, they all walked cheerfully toward the parking lot.

Having presumably devoured generous portions of A5-grade kalbi and sirloin, the defendant Shinji Saito (43), a former member of “Jungle Pocket,” was seen in high spirits, clutching his prominently protruding belly.

“Saito is on trial for sexually assaulting a female co-star whom he met for the first time in ’24, and at the hearing on August 5, the prosecution sought a seven-year prison sentence. The defense is arguing for acquittal, and a verdict is expected in November,” said a reporter from the social affairs desk of a national newspaper.

During the trial, the malicious nature of the crime was emphasized, and prosecutors sought a severe punishment for Saito. Yet, just one week later—while facing a high likelihood of a prison sentence—he was reveling at the lavish party described at the beginning of this article.

On that day, Saito was hard at work at a sales event for a Baumkuchen shop that had opened last April. The gathering at the yakiniku restaurant in question appeared to be a celebration to mark the event’s success. After leaving the restaurant, the group drove to one of Yamagata’s most popular entertainment districts. They entered a stylish Japanese restaurant with an average check of about 7,000 yen per person.

“Mr. Saito sat at the counter and was passionately speaking about something, using lots of hand gestures. He didn’t seem particularly drunk, but he was in high spirits. The people with him were wearing T-shirts with Mr. Saito’s face printed on them. I think they were people involved in the Baumkuchen sales,” said a passerby who witnessed the group.

By the time the party ended, it was past midnight. Defendant Saito said goodbye to his companions and, together with one of them, disappeared into the night.

The “September 11 & 18 Combined Issue,” on sale August 28, and the paid edition “FRIDAY GOLD” feature updates on the financial dispute involving Defendant Saito regarding the Baumkuchen sales—which this magazine previously reported—as well as numerous photos from the large banquet in Yamanashi.

Click here to view the full details and multiple photos ↓↓

From the September 11 & 18, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*