Illegal drug trade in Japan

As early as the Yayoi period, hemp was cultivated and made into clothing. By the start of the Meiji period, hemp was widely cultivated in Japan as a medicine for treating asthma and as a raw material of hemp rope and hemp garments for fishing. At the end of the 19th century, hemp was widely grown for its fibers for use in textiles similar to cotton. In the 1930s largely due to Harry J. Anslinger's efforts to promote his new department, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics,[1] mainstream American society began to believe that cannabis was harmful, and the government began to formulate relevant measures against cannabis.[2] By the end of World War II during the American occupation of Japan, the prohibition of marijuana in the United States had influenced the prohibition of marijuana in Japan and the Cannabis Control Law of 1948 was passed which strictly controlled the possession and cultivation of the cannabis plant.[3] Even so, the illegal cultivation and possession of marijuana cannot be totally banned. Now, indoor cultivation technology has been adopted in many areas of Japan.[4]

Hemp plant

The first epidemic of methamphetamine abuse in Japan began at the end of World War II. During World War 2 methamphetamine was sold under the name Philopon and used by many people from soldiers to factory workers. After the war surplus methamphetamine flooded the market and an estimated 1.5 million people were using meth in Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Health prohibited meth use in 1951.[5] The dependence and neurotoxicity caused by methamphetamine were not well known at the time.[6] Another report found that 550,000 people abused methamphetamine in the 12 years after the end of World War II.[7]

In the 1960s, as in many parts of the world, hippie culture flourished, and futen-zoku emerged as a Japanese version of the Western hippie. Although psychedelic use is a well-known aspect of the hippie subculture, such drugs are difficult to obtain in Japan.[8] For this reason hippies often turned to organic solvents instead. Japan experienced sustained economic growth until 1970, when growth suddenly slowed. The second major instance of drug abuse was directly promoted by Japan's domestic yakuza groups, who organized the trafficking of methamphetamine. Yakuza groups built methamphetamine manufacturing plants in South Korea and Taiwan, and smuggled the drug into Japan to sell to students as well as the general public.[4] This is also a major factor in the rise of young drug users in Japan, and why intravenous drug users are more likely to use methamphetamine.[9] In 1980, 40 percent of Japan's organic solvents and 40 per cent of its amphetamine-type drugs were abused.[4] Arrests related to abuse of organic solvents peaked at 36,796 in 1982 and then began to decline, falling sharply after 1992.[4]

Methamphetamine crystal

In the 1990s, the Japanese economy experienced a severe recession, which caused economic development to stagnate, and drug abuse increased once again. Before 2002 psilocybin mushrooms were legal in Japan and could be found in mail-order shops, online vendors and in smart shops throughout Japan. A member of Japan's Health Ministry narcotics division Hideo Eno prior to 2002, "You can find them [psilocybin mushrooms] anywhere."[10] Japan Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry added psilocybin mushrooms to Schedule Narcotics of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drug Control Law in June of 2002, possibly in preparation for the World Cup, as well as possibly a response to instances of inexperienced people panicking and injuring themselves while under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms. At the same time, the prevalence of abuse shifted from organic solvents back to methamphetamine abuse, with a sharp decline in solvent-related arrests. These drugs come mainly from other Asian countries, such as China and South Korea.[4] This was the time when people started to be able to buy drugs directly from drug dealers via cell phones and pagers. Also in the 1990s, the United States and Latin American countries intensified their war on drugs such as cocaine, and drug smugglers began to turn to the Japanese market, causing rapid growth in the circulation of cocaine in Japan.

Cannabis use in Japan has also increased in recent years.[11] One noticeable change in 2006 was that cannabis- related arrests in Japan outnumbered solvent-related arrests. The number of celebrity arrests for marijuana-related crimes also increased significantly. With the recent development of Internet technology, Japanese people can obtain marijuana through multiple channels. Marijuana trade can happen in primary schools up to universities and out in general society.[12]

Compared to North America or Europe, illegal drug use is highly taboo in Japan, and drug users are shunned from society. Even celebrities caught with drugs can suffer dire consequences to their reputations and careers.[13]

In July 1948, the Japanese government promulgated the cannabis control law, which clearly stipulated the cultivation, transportation, sales and personal use of cannabis. Without the approval of the government, the cultivation, possession or use of marijuana is not allowed, and even the collection of mature wild marijuana leaves is illegal. In March 1953, the Japanese government promulgated the "Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act" to control more drugs. At the same time, the ministry of narcotic drugs prohibition was also established as a special department for drug control.[19]

In 1972, Japan promulgated the "toxic drugs and strong drugs control act", which began to restrict the production and sale of organic solvents, but the problem of organic solvents drug abuse is still particularly serious.[19]

The Japanese government has gradually increased its emphasis on fighting drug crimes. In addition to legislative restrictions, in 2003 it formulated new strategy against drug abuse. In order to curb the increasingly rampant drug smuggling crimes, the Japanese government has also formulated the emergency measures to prevent drug smuggling.[19]