On October 16th, a poster of actress Sakai Noriko (41) for the stage play �Hekiku no Kyoshikyoku~Oichi no Kata Gaiden� (running from December 15th to 24th at Sakura Hall in the Shibuya Cultural Center Owada in Tokyo) was revealed publicly for the first time.

Sakai is currently under probation for stimulant usage and this play marks her first comeback to the entertainment industry since her drug scandal in 2009. Sakai�s probation period will end by late November.

The photoshoot for the picture occurred earlier this month at a studio in Tokyo and is said to have taken many hours.

Those close to the actress explained Sakai�s appearance stating, �Since the script has not been completed yet, we are not 100% sure, but it seemed like she switched into actress mode.�� It is said that Sakai, who had left the industry nearly 3 years and 4 months ago, �was deeply touched and extremely happy after seeing the photos and said to the photographer, �Thank you very much� numerous times.

The play is set between the Warring States Period and the Azuchi-Momoyama Period in Japan. Sakai plays the role of Oichi, the younger sister of Oda Nobunaga. Actor Imai Masayuki (51), who plays Shibata Katsuie, the second husband of Oichi, mentioned Sakai when he commented, �I am working hard with [Sakai] to make the play magnificent.�� Other cast members include Kanayama Kazuhiko (45), who plays Nobunaga;�Kanesaki Kentaro (28), who plays Hashiba Hideyoshi; and Suzuki Hideto (39), who plays Azai Nagamasa.

Source and Image: Sanspo