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Drunk and naked, pop star held in Japan

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-24 08:51

A popular Japanese pop star was arrested Thursday for public indecency after being found drunk and naked at a Tokyo park, police said.

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, a member of hugely popular group SMAP, was arrested on the spot after neighbors complained a drunk man was making a fuss in the park, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police official said on condition of anonymity, citing department rules.

"I caused trouble to many people. I am deeply sorry," 34-year-old Kusanagi was quoted by public broadcaster NHK as saying.

His arrest was the top news item in Japan with major TV networks repeatedly reporting the arrest and broadcasting footage showing Kusanagi being escorted to a police van.

The pop star, sitting on the grass, resisted the arrest, saying: "What's wrong with being naked?" public broadcaster NHK reported earlier. His clothes were bundled in a ball near him.

Kusanagi surged to stardom following his 1991 debut as part of the five-member SMAP, which dominated Japan's pop music scene, and starred in TV dramas and films. Kusanagi, fluent in Korean, is also popular in South Korea.