Japan National Volleyball Player Arrested over Cannabis Possession

Tokyo, May 28 (Jiji Press)–Tokyo police arrested Shunichiro Sato, a member of Japan’s national volleyball team for men, on Thursday on suspicion of cannabis possession in violation of the narcotics control law, investigative sources said. The Metropolitan Police Department alleges that Sato, 26, possessed dried cannabis at a “pachinko” pinball parlor in the Japanese capital’s Itabashi Ward on Wednesday afternoon. The police have not disclosed whether he has admitted the allegation. The MPD found what appeared to be plant fragments from a bag that the suspect had left behind at the pinball parlor, later identifying them as cannabis through forensic testing. The police will conduct a urine test to determine whether he used cannabis. According to the Japan Volleyball Association, the national team is currently holding a training camp in Tokyo’s Kita Ward, adjacent to Itabashi. Sato visited the pachinko shop with some teammates. He told police that he had obtained the cannabis from an acquaintance. Following the arrest, the association announced on its website Thursday that Sato was removed from the national team’s roster for fiscal 2026 the same day. “We seriously take the fact that such a thing has occurred and deeply apologize for betraying the public’s trust,” it said. The association also said it has checked the personal belongings of all players in the national team and confirmed that no illegal drugs were found. It will conduct urine tests on all players as well. The national team is scheduled to participate in the Nations League competition of the International Volleyball Federation, or FIVB, in June. Sato played for Wolfdogs Nagoya, based in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, as a middle blocker in the 2025-2026 season of SV.League. He is from Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]