TOKYO - A Japanese court on Friday sentenced former Japan men's national volleyball player Shunichiro Sato to one year in prison, suspended for three years, for possessing cannabis.
The Tokyo District Court found Sato, 26, guilty of violating the narcotics control law for possessing 0.831 grams of dried cannabis at a pachinko parlor in Tokyo on May 27.
Judge Hironobu Ono pointed out that Sato had begun using drugs in university, obtained cannabis from dealers during offseasons via smartphone apps and sometimes used the drug with his romantic partner.
While noting Sato had a "deep affinity for drugs," the judge granted a suspended sentence after taking into account factors including his lack of a prior criminal record.
In his closing admonition to Sato, Ono said, "I want you to keep reflecting on your actions, steer clear of involvement with drugs, dealers and other antisocial influences, and walk the path to rehabilitation."
According to the ruling, Sato visited the pachinko parlor with his teammates during free time while the national squad was holding a training camp. He left a bag there in which the cannabis was later found and police arrested him the following day.
A native of Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, Sato played for Wolfdogs Nagoya in Japan's SV.League during the 2025-26 season.
Following his arrest, Sato was removed from the national team roster and Wolfdogs Nagoya terminated his contract.
