News Simon Jakops Issues Apology For Drug Use In Japan And Resigns As XGALX CEO (1 Viewer)

[centen]

@ALPHAZ

Spoiler: Original letter in Japanese

English translation from Reddit:

To everyone,

I would like to express my deepest apologies for the tremendous trouble and concern my selfish actions have caused to all those involved, especially to the fans.

I have deeply reflected on my own shortcomings for having betrayed the expectations of everyone who supported my activities over many years and placed their trust in me. I take this incident very seriously, and I keenly feel how my actions lacked social responsibility and trampled on the feelings of the fans who have supported me. There is no room for excuse.

This matter is entirely my personal responsibility, and the members of XG bear absolutely no fault. They continue to face their musical activities with sincerity and work hard every day to deliver wonderful music to people around the world. Though it is a selfish request, I humbly ask that you continue to support the members of XG as you always have.

As for what lies ahead, I firmly vow here that I will fully accept the seriousness of what I have caused and never repeat the same mistake again.

Because of this incident, I have decided to step down as the representative of my company. At the same time, I do not intend to let this end as nothing more than a mere failure or regret. In order to regain the trust I have lost, I intend to become a stronger person and devote my life to doing everything I can to make amends.

Once again, I offer my heartfelt and profound apologies to everyone concerned and to everyone who supported me.

March 25, 2026 SIMON

Translation via @xg_observer

source - simon’s instagram

In case you're also like "what drug use":
Indicted for cocaine use; possession charge dropped by Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/2551466
He's currently out on bail.

 

[centen]

I don't even know what to say. This feels so sudden. Wasn't XG basically his baby?

EDIT: Now that I saw that his drug use is for cocaine, I'm like... Simon, how could you be so stupid?

 

[pinkmelodies]

This is just sad. He created XG from the ground up so I can't even imagine how the members are feeling. It's very disappointing

 

[The_LastRomeo]

Its saddening, he made the group and saw them grow and now he can't, but its the consequences of his own actions

 

[Pirioca]

At least he apologized, so he knows he did something wrong. I'd give him a second chance. Of course, it's bad that he used Cocaine (I hope for personal use only) but worse things happened in the entertainment industry.

He should be punished but I don't see any reason why he shouldn't come back as a producer. What's the penalty for drug use and possession in Japan?

 

[Ahsoka]

I feel like this is one of the only cases in the Japanese or Korean entertainment industry where I’ve heard about something like this where the drugs in question aren’t weed or prescription drugs. I’m sure it happens, but I haven’t heard anything of the others as far as I remember.

 

[centen]

I feel like this is one of the only cases in the Japanese or Korean entertainment industry where I’ve heard about something like this where the drugs in question aren’t weed or prescription drugs. I’m sure it happens, but I haven’t heard anything of the others as far as I remember.

Yeah, I originally assumed it was weed, since that's what it almost always is. Prescription drugs seem to be more the case when the idol is less active, I think they usually pick the one that has sedative effects? Propofol, iirc.

 

[Pirioca]

What You Need to Know About Drug Laws in Japan

From drug laws and drug use, to which medications you can and can't bring into the country, here's how to avoid trouble with Japanese law.

www.worldnomads.com

 

[centen]

What You Need to Know About Drug Laws in Japan

From drug laws and drug use, to which medications you can and can't bring into the country, here's how to avoid trouble with Japanese law.

www.worldnomads.com

Dang potentially seven years.

 

[Pirioca]

Dang potentially seven years.

I guess it depends on the amount of Cocaine they found. Or maybe not? I'm not sure.

 

[Ahsoka]

At least he apologized, so he knows he did something wrong. I'd give him a second chance. Of course, it's bad that he used Cocaine (I hope for personal use only) but worse things happened in the entertainment industry.

He should be punished but I don't see any reason why he shouldn't come back as a producer. Cocaine use and possession in Japan means prison sentence?

Aren’t apologies an expectation at this point? In the kpop industry at least everyone apologizes for even the smallest scandal. Even for non scandals like dating.

 

[Pirioca]

Aren’t apologies an expectation at this point?

In K-Pop and J-Pop, yes.

 

[sooya_]

oh man :(
this took me off guard