TOKYO, Feb 23 — Simon Jakops, the executive producer and creative force behind globally successful girl group XG, was arrested early today on suspicion of violating Japan’s Narcotics Control Law, dealing a potential blow to the rising “X-POP” act amid its world tour .

Yomiuri Shimbun Online reported the 39-year-old producer, also known as Simon and whose real name is Junho Sakai, was taken into custody around 1am along with three other individuals at a hotel in Nagoya.