“Oops!” Popular Hostess Rino Yamato Arrested With Boyfriend on Cocaine Possession Allegations—What Led to Her Downfall?

Mysterious hand sign toward the cameras

At around 2 a.m. in the early hours of September 16, a car entered the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Harajuku Police Station. In the center of the back seat was a woman whose face was almost completely hidden by a low-pulled cap and a mask. When she noticed the reporters, she extended the index finger and thumb of her right hand, which she had raised to conceal her face, and made a mysterious hand sign by forming a circle with her index finger. Her left eye, visible between her fingers, stared directly into the cameras.

On September 15, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested popular cabaret club hostess and influencer Rino Tazawa, 27, known as “Yamato Rino,” and company executive Kōta Fukumoto, 28, on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

“The two were arrested on the spot shortly before 4 p.m. on September 15 at the condominium in Roppongi, Minato Ward, where they lived together. They are suspected of possessing 0.4 grams of cocaine. Police also seized around 20 plastic bags containing a white powder and straws believed to have been used for inhaling the drug.

Tazawa has admitted to the allegations, saying, ‘We were using it together,’ while Fukumoto has denied them, saying, ‘It wasn’t mine.’ Police had obtained information earlier this year that Tazawa was using cocaine and had been investigating. Her Instagram account stopped being updated after September 13, and it appears that people close to her had begun speculating that she might be arrested.” (National newspaper crime reporter)

On social media, the meaning of the hand sign Tazawa displayed while being transported became a topic of discussion. Some theories claimed that it meant “Fuck you,” as though she were raising her middle finger, while others suggested it was a signature pose of rapper KENNY-G, supposedly a gang sign meaning “I won’t bow to authority.”

There is also the possibility of a prison sentence

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tazawa gained popularity on X under the account name ‘Athlete’s Wife.’ At the same time, she began to stand out in her main profession as a cabaret club hostess. At ‘Jungle Tokyo’ in Roppongi, where she transferred in February 2024 under the hostess name ‘Yamato Rino,’ it is said that she generated ¥230 million in sales during her birthday event. Some customers complained that she was very condescending and irritating, but her popularity was overwhelming.

She also served as one of the ‘Queens’ (judges), alongside other legendary hostesses, on the YouTube hostess audition program ‘LAST CALL,’ which began streaming in January this year. She also attracted attention because of disputes regarding the operation of the program and appearance contracts involving the show’s MC, entrepreneur Yuji Mizoguchi.” (Entertainment writer)

Tazawa had expanded beyond the role of a hostess and become an influencer, with 162,000 followers on X and 177,000 followers on Instagram. What lies ahead for her? Former narcotics officer Ryoji Takahama explains:

“First, a urine test will be conducted to determine whether she used the drug. If necessary, hair samples may also be collected to investigate whether there was habitual use or dependence. The approximately 20 bags of white powder that were seized will also be examined. If they are found to contain cocaine, the quantity could potentially lead to charges of possession for commercial purposes. Unlike simple possession, possession for commercial purposes can carry the possibility of a prison sentence.

The number of cocaine-related arrests has increased about sevenfold over the past decade. Many of those arrested are in their twenties and thirties. I believe young people are drawn to cocaine partly because social media has spread the mistaken idea that using it is a kind of status symbol, as well as because of a fashion-oriented mentality characteristic of modern youth. The same may apply to the two people arrested in this case.”

Some have also suggested that police may have had another motive in making these arrests.

“’LAST CALL’ also became associated with the spread of using Mounjaro for weight-loss purposes, which became controversial. As the program gained popularity and hostesses were increasingly celebrated, perhaps the arrests were intended as an example to curb that trend.” (Crime writer)

Once part of a glamorous world, Tazawa has now fallen into a very different reality. However, the days of making amends are only just beginning.

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