Source: 2002
Released by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Although Japan is not a major producer of drugs, it is one of the largest methamphetamine markets in Asia, with approximately 600,000 addicts and 2.18 million casual users nationwide. During 2002, Japanese authorities seized 168 kilograms of methamphetamine. Through November, authorities seized over 129,000 tablets of MDMA (ecstasy), a significant increase over last year's figures. Authorities also seized 288 cc of liquid methamphetamine.
Japan is not a significant producer of narcotics. Very modest scale licit cultivation of opium poppies, coca plants, and cannabis for research is strictly monitored and controlled by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Methamphetamine is Japan's most widely abused drug. Approximately 90 percent of all drug arrests in Japan involve this substance. In spite of this significant methamphetamine abuse problem, there is no evidence of clandestine manufacturing in Japan. Ephedrine, the primary precursor for the manufacture of methamphetamine in Asia, is strictly controlled under Japanese law.
Authorities continue to estimate methamphetamine trafficking into Japan to be between 10-20 metric tons per year. (Based on 2.18 million users consuming 11 grams per person annually.) Japanese law enforcement officials have made record methamphetamine seizures in the last three years. Through November 2002, 168 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized. Authorities believe the majority of the methamphetamine smuggled into Japan is refined and/or produced in the PRC, Taiwan, the Philippines, and North Korea.
Methamphetamine trafficking remains a significant source of income for Japanese organized crime. The illegal immigrant population in Japan also participates actively in drug trafficking. Importation of heroin from Southeast Asia through Japan increased in the final three months of 2002, although heroin, marijuana and hashish use remains significantly lower than use of other illegal drugs in the country. In April, the Narcotics Control Law was amended to prohibit the cultivation, importation, distribution, sale and possession, and advertising of certain hallucinogenic plants.
Policy Initiatives. Amendment of the Narcotics Control Law to outlaw the cultivation, importation, distribution, sale and possession, and advertising of certain hallucinogenic plants closed the legal loophole that had inadvertently allowed the sale of psilocybin or psilocin containing mushrooms (magic mushrooms) for "ornamental" or "research" purposes.
Accomplishments. The United States and Japan are working on a final text for a mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT). Once concluded, the MLAT is expected to expedite and strengthen law enforcement cooperation.
Japan, an active participant in, and financial supporter of the United Nations Office of Drug Control Program (UNODC) major donors group, provided important financial support to many UNODC programs.
Law Enforcement Efforts . Japanese authorities seized 168 kilograms of methamphetamine in the first eleven months of 2002. Authorities also seized 288 cc of liquid methamphetamine. Police counternarcotics efforts tend to focus on Japanese organized crime groups, the main smugglers and distributors of drugs. Police and prosecutors are hesitant to pursue cases in which the likelihood of a conviction is uncertain. In addition to smuggling and distribution activities, law enforcement officials are starting to pay increased attention to drug-related financial crimes. The Financial Services Agency received 13,725 reports of suspicious transactions in 2002.
Between 1992, when the Asset Seizure Law took effect, and 1999, the NPA has seized a total of about $7.23 million in drug proceeds in 82 investigations. However, the NPA and Customs advise that seizure statistics are no longer maintained. Japanese authorities seize money primarily as trial evidence. After conviction, judges may levy fines, impose tax penalties, or order the outright confiscation of narcotics related proceeds, but statistics on these actions are not maintained.
Corruption. There were no reported cases of drug-related corruption in Japan in 2002.
Agreements and Treaties. Japan became a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention in 1992. Japan is also a party to the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1972 Protocol amending the Single Convention, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. An extradition treaty and a customs mutual assistance agreement are in force between the United States and Japan. The United States and Japan are seeking to conclude a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty.
Cultivation/Production. Although Japan is not a significant cultivator or manufacturer of controlled substances, it is a major producer of 60 types of dual-use precursor chemicals, which also have legitimate industrial uses. For example, Japan is one of only a handful of countries that produce ephedrine, a chemical used to create nasal/breathing problems. Ephedrine is also an essential ingredient in methamphetamine. Japan is a member of the Chemical Action Task Force (CATF) and controls 28 chemicals. The DEA Country Attache in Japan, working closely with his Japanese counterparts, closely monitors end users of precursors.
Drug Flow/Transit. Almost all drugs illicitly trafficked in Japan are smuggled from overseas. According to the National Police Agency, the PRC, the Philippines, Taiwan and North Korea are principle sources.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). Domestic programs focus primarily on interdiction. Drug treatment programs are small and are generally run by private organizations. The Japanese Government provides narcotics-related counseling designed to prevent drug use and support the rehabilitation of addicts at prefectural health centers and mental health and welfare Centers. Prefectural governments also employ part-time narcotics counselors. The Japanese Government continued to support a number of drug awareness campaigns, including a five-year campaign drawn up in 1998 by the Headquarters for the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse, an office headed by the Prime Minister. This program is designed to inform the public about the growing use of stimulants in Japan, especially among junior and senior high school students. Under this plan, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with prefectural governments and a variety of private organizations, continued to administer national publicity campaigns using ads that run on television, radio and electronic scoreboards used at major sporting events. The plan also promotes drug education programs at the community level, including a program that organizes talks between students and former narcotics officers and another poster campaign that targets students attending high school baseball games.
Policy Initiatives. U.S. goals and objectives include:
Road Ahead. The United States and Japan will continue to work to conclude a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and to explore new cooperative counternarcotics initiatives.