Novala Takemoto given suspended 8-month sentence

[Tokyograph News]

"Shimotsuma Monogatari" author Novala Takemoto went on trial Wednesday for cannabis possession. The hearing concluded the same day with the judge handing Takemoto an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for three years.

According to the prosecution's statements, Takemoto first used the drug about five years ago at a friend's house. Since then, he purchased cannabis through his friend eight times, and this past June, he bought some from a dealer in San Francisco.

On September 2, a police officer stopped Takemoto on the street while he was walking alone in the Kabukicho district. During questioning, Takemoto was found to be carrying cannabis, leading to his arrest. A later search of his home turned up more of the drug.

During the hearing, Takemoto said that he had tried the drug out of curiosity. He apologized, expressing shame at betraying his fans. He also declared that he wants to use his future works to help discourage drug use.

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