【Full Story】A Big Night Out! One Week After Prosecutors Sought 7 Years in Prison, Former Jank Pop Saito Shinji Pictured in High Spirits

Prosecutors seek seven-year prison sentence

Inside a certain commercial complex in Yamagata City is a yakiniku restaurant beloved by locals for offering top-quality Yamagata beef at reasonable prices. One night in mid-August, several men emerged from the popular restaurant. Having apparently enjoyed some of the local specialties, they walked cheerfully toward the parking lot.

Among them was Shingo Saito, 43, formerly of “Jungle Pocket,” looking pleased as he held his protruding belly, presumably after devouring plenty of A5-rank kalbi and loin.

“Saito is facing charges of sexually assaulting a female co-star whom he met for the first time in 2024, and at the August 5 hearing, prosecutors sought a seven-year prison sentence. The defense is arguing that he is not guilty, and a verdict is expected in November.” (National newspaper social affairs reporter)

At trial, the seriousness of the alleged offense was emphasized, and prosecutors sought a severe punishment for Saito. Just one week later, while he was said to face a significant possibility of a prison sentence, he was enjoying the large drinking party described above.

That day, Saito had been working up a sweat at a sales event for a baumkuchen shop that began operating in April last year. The gathering at the aforementioned yakiniku restaurant appeared to be a celebration following the event. After leaving the yakiniku restaurant, the group drove to one of Yamagata’s major entertainment districts and entered a stylish Japanese restaurant where the average spend per customer is around ¥7,000.

“Saito sat at the counter and passionately talked about something, gesturing with his hands as he spoke. He didn’t seem particularly drunk, but he was in high spirits. The people with him were wearing shirts with Saito’s face printed on them. I assume they were people involved with the baumkuchen sales.” (Passerby who witnessed the group)

By the time the gathering ended, it was already past midnight. After saying goodbye to his companions, Saito disappeared into the night with one of them.

Civil lawsuit underway

The trial mentioned above is not the only legal case Saito is facing. Last November, “FRIDAY” reported on a financial dispute involving Saito over the sale of baumkuchen. He was suspected of taking approximately ¥1.6 million in sales proceeds from a sales event in Fukuoka in October 2025 without transferring the money to Company A, his business partner at the time.

At the time, Saito admitted to “FRIDAY” that he had not transferred the sales proceeds, but claimed that payments of compensation owed to me by Company A had been delayed, among other things. According to a person familiar with Saito, “The two sides’ accounts are completely at odds, and the matter has still not been resolved.”

What has happened to the financial dispute since then? Saito’s attorney responded:

“The company (Company A) has refused to pay Mr. Saito the compensation stipulated under the contract while making baseless claims suggesting that Mr. Saito committed embezzlement, and therefore the matter remains unresolved. In response, Mr. Saito filed a civil lawsuit against Company A with the Tokyo District Court at the end of July 2026.

The proceedings are currently underway with the aim of reaching an appropriate resolution through the judicial process. We must refrain from commenting at this time on specific details, including the substance of the claims, as doing so could affect the ongoing litigation.”

While facing two legal cases, Saito continues to work selling baumkuchen. Was the large drinking party in Yamagata perhaps a much-needed opportunity for him to unwind, even as he walks a thorny path?

Previously unpublished photo — Saito works up a sweat at a sales event for a baumkuchen shop that began operating in April last year.

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