'Shock': Japanese player reveals in first trial that other players also used 'Zombie Cigarette' containing a drug component

*This content was translated by AI.

Ryota Hatsuki (26), who was transferred to trial on charges of using a new drug known as 'Zombie Cigarette' (containing etomidate) and was subsequently released by the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team Hiroshima Toyo Carp, made a shocking revelation suggesting additional involvement within the team.

According to reports by Japanese sports outlet Hotchi and Chugoku Shimbun, based in Hiroshima, Japan, on the 15th, Hatsuki appeared in court wearing a mask and a dark green tie, admitting to all charges. However, during the subsequent defendant questioning, he stated, "There was a Hiroshima player around me who was using (etomidate)," causing great shock.

This statement went beyond a simple individual deviation, suggesting the possibility of additional drug-related individuals within the Hiroshima team organization. The Prosecution Service requested a one-year prison sentence for defendant Hatsuki on this day.

The trial held today drew a crowd of over 500 people vying for just 46 courtroom seats, demonstrating the intense interest in Japan. Among the spectators were fans wearing Hiroshima uniforms. Unable to hide their dismay, the spectators reacted to the fall of a promising young player and the shocking revelation. After the trial concluded, Hatsuki left the courtroom with a stern expression, boarding a prepared vehicle alongside his lawyers.

Etomidate, the component found in the zombie cigarettes that sparked the incident, is originally a type of sleep anesthetic. In Japan, due to concerns over misuse, it has been managed as a 'prohibited drug' since May 2025, with strict bans on possession and use. In Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also designated 'etomidate' as a narcotic in August last year, strengthening its regulation. Particularly, etomidate causes the body to convulse upon administration, leading to symptoms resembling a zombie walking, earning it the dangerous nickname 'Zombie Cigarette.'

The Japanese baseball community is struggling to hide its bewilderment at this revelation. The Hiroshima team, following its decision to suspend Hatsuki from baseball activities immediately after the incident in January, announced a sudden 'contract termination' on February 24, shortly after the indictment. However, with the defendant himself directly mentioning the possibility of involvement by fellow players in court, a comprehensive investigation by the team and disciplinary discussions at the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball Organization) level appear inevitable. The Hiroshima team side has announced plans to re-investigate the players.

Previously, the Japanese police arrested Hatsuki in January and conducted rigorous searches and seizures at major team facilities, including the Hiroshima home stadium and indoor practice fields. At the time, the team stated it would "cooperate fully with the investigation," but Hatsuki's testimony today makes it difficult for them to avoid criticism regarding 'negligence in player management.'

Meanwhile, Ryota Hatsuki joined Hiroshima through the NPB rookie draft in 2018, appearing in 277 career games and recording 51 stolen bases, serving as a key base runner for the team. However, due to a single wrong choice, he fell from a 'promising player' to the 'core of a team scandal,' removing his uniform in disgrace.

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*This content was translated by AI.