*This content was translated by AI.
While Ryutaro Hatsuki (26), an infielder with the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Hiroshima Toyokaf, was arrested by police for inhaling a banned drug called "zombie cigarettes," even the Hiroshima club was found to have belatedly recognized the arrest. The club decided to suspend its activities first as it was arrested as a current offender, and said it would watch the investigation a little more until the contract was canceled.
According to multiple Japanese media such as Sports Hochi and Sponichi Annex, the head of the Hiroshima team Kiyoaki Suzuki met with reporters on the 28th and said, "I learned late that the player was arrested. Currently, I may be denying the drug charges, but I have decided to suspend baseball-related activities because I have been arrested. However, regarding the cancellation of the contract, we will respond while watching the situation in the future," he said.
According to the reports, Hatsuki was arrested the day before (27th) by Hiroshima Prefectural Police on charges of violating the Drugs and Medical Devices Act. Specifically, Hatsuki is accused of administering "zombie cigarettes" containing "Etomidate," which was designated as a banned drug in Japan, around December 16 last year. On the 27th, after receiving a report from an anonymous informant, the police arrested Hatsuki as a red-handed offender, and conducted a house search and urine test. In the end, it is said that "Etomidate" was positive. The player himself denied the charges, saying, "I don't remember using them."
Etomidate is used overseas as a general anesthetic inducer, but in Japan, it is managed as a 'prohibited drug' due to concerns over misuse and is strictly prohibited from possession or use. In Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) designated "Etomidate" as a drug in August last year, strengthening its management.
In particular, etomidate is a dangerous drug nicknamed "zombie cigarette" because the body convulses when administered and walks like a zombie. Recently, it has rapidly spread among young people in Japan and has emerged as a social problem.
Hatsuki is in charge of key pinch-runner agents and backup infielders at the Hiroshima club, and Japan is in a truly surprised mood. Hatsuki, who joined Hiroshima through the 2018 rookie draft, played a whopping 74 games in the 2025 season and had a career high season with a batting average of 0.295 (31 hits in 119 at-bats) and 17 steals. Hatsuki, who entered the first team stage for the first time in the 2020 season, is a player who boasts fast feet enough to succeed in 51 steals in 277 NPB games. In the 2025 season, he played second and third basemen. The annual salary for the 2026 season was 31 million yen (about 300 million won), an increase of 8 million yen (about 75 million won) compared to the 2025 season.
On the 27th, the day of the arrest, the Hiroshima club did not make a significant position, but made an official position, including an apology on the morning of the 28th. In a statement, the club said, "We deeply apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused by the player caused by such an incident to the fans. Currently, confirmation of the facts is underway and we will actively cooperate with the investigative agency. The club will also take this matter seriously and respond appropriately as soon as the facts are revealed. I will try to prevent a recurrence. I apologize again," he said, bowing his head.
Hiroshima coach Takahiro Arai (49) also said through the club, "We take the matter very seriously as a coach because our player has been arrested. We apologize for causing tremendous concern and inconvenience to the fans, including the officials. I won't leave a detailed comment because it's a matter under investigation. What was clear was a lack of self-awareness as a team member and I am very sorry. We will take this situation seriously and make more efforts to prevent a recurrence," he reflected.
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*This content was translated by AI.
