Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters (Mainichi)

       OSAKA -- Two employees at a music business in this west Japan city's Naniwa Ward have been arrested by the Osaka Prefectural Police on suspicion of cannabis possession in contravention of the Cannabis Control Act, according to an individual connected to the case.

       It was also revealed that a man who runs the business tacitly approved of cannabis trading taking place at the company. Police authorities are currently working to unravel the case with the assumption that the business's office served as a base for illicit cannabis selling.

       According to investigative sources, the two men arrested are 37-year-old senior employee Kengo Takanaga, and 43-year-old cleaner Akiyoshi Terada, who was often in and out of the office. Both have been referred to prosecutors for allegations including carrying cannabis with the intent to profit from it. The business's manager has also reportedly told police: "I knew that cannabis was being traded at the office." As a result, he has been accused of allegedly aiding the illicit sales.

       According to corporate registration and other information, the music company runs a recording studio, and also sells music production and sales services, primarily for reggae. It is involved in artist management, too, among other interests.

       In March, Osaka Prefectural Police searched the premises on suspicion it was a "storehouse" for cannabis. Takanaga and Terada were both arrested on the spot. Police believe the pair conspired together to profit from a total of around 520 grams of cannabis leaves.

       At a public hearing, prosecutors laid out the events culminating in the two storing cannabis at the office. According to their explanation and other information, in around summer 2020, Terada approached Takanaga to tell him it had become difficult for him to store cannabis at home, and ask if it could be kept at the office. Takanaga reportedly accepted the proposal, and was apparently aware that Terada was repeatedly carrying out illicit cannabis trading on site.

       An individual connected to the invesigation said Terada sold on a total of at least around 330 grams of cannabis, and is suspected to have gained 1.4 million yen (about $12,800) in doing so. Police believe there were multiple customers, and that among these some tens of people have been accused in connection with the sales.

       Regarding this case, neighboring Kyoto Prefectural Police will in the course of its investigation apprehend customers who bought the substances. With a view that the music company could have been at the center of a wide-ranging cannabis spread, the Osaka and Kyoto prefectural police advanced its investigations by setting up a joint investigative headquarters in June.

       (Japanese original by Ryo Numata and Ryoko Kijima, Osaka City News Department)

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