Drugs, Detention and Punishments

Drugs, Consequences, and Responsibility: A Ground Reality from Japan

Written by Yogi (Yogendra Puranik), PhD, on 26-April-2026

Since the beginning of 2026, I have personally handled seven cases, only in Tokyo, involving drug consumption by Indians, two tourists, and five residents. These are not just isolated incidents. Each case reflects a deeper concern: how a single moment of poor judgment can disrupt not only an individual’s life but also affect families, careers, and the reputation of a wider community.

Japan is widely known for its safety, discipline, and order. At the same time, like any major global city, it has its hidden layers. In areas such as Shinjuku and Roppongi, one may still encounter individuals openly attempting to sell drugs. They say it is legal. They say it will give a superb feeling. Sometimes they combine it with a sensual massage or a wonderful cocktail.

For newcomers and tourists, especially those who are young, alone, or unfamiliar with the local environment, this can become a point of vulnerability. Curiosity, loneliness, or the influence of others can easily lead someone in the wrong direction.

It is important to state this clearly. Japan maintains a strict, zero-tolerance approach toward drug-related offenses. Even a minor lapse can result in serious and long-lasting consequences. Unlike in some countries where there may be warnings or leniency, the Japanese system is firm, structured, and unforgiving in such matters.

Why People Fall into This Trap

From my observations, people do not usually fall into this trap with criminal intent. The reasons are often psychological and situational rather than deliberate. Curiosity plays a major role. Many believe that trying something “just once” will not matter.

Others face loneliness, especially while adjusting to life in a foreign country. Stress, whether professional or personal, also becomes a contributing factor. Perhaps the most influential element is the company one keeps. The presence of the wrong social circle can normalize behavior that would otherwise be avoided.

The Legal Reality in Japan

The legal consequences in Japan are severe. If you are caught in a situation of high, or when in possession of even a small quantity of drugs, it can lead to arrest.

Once detained, the process begins quickly. The police initially take the individual into custody and conduct preliminary questioning. And they might ask you for a urine test. This is still not an official arrest.

Within 48 hours of your arrest, the case is transferred to the public prosecutor, who decides whether further detention is required. The detention happens in two stages of 10 days each. In many cases involving drugs, detention has continued for a total of 23 days before formal charges are filed or the case is dropped. This period itself is extremely stressful, especially for those unfamiliar with the system.

If it was your first attempt, and if you did not possess any drugs in your hands or pockets, or in your home or office, and if you have conveyed the truth, and you are in the mode of complete regret/remorse, the prosecutor will usually release you after 23 days.

Possible Consequences

If the case proceeds, it may lead to indictment and trial. Depending on the severity of the case, even first-time offenders face serious outcomes, including imprisonment (sometimes suspended, depending on circumstances) and, in the case of foreign nationals, deportation.

Even if the court has given you a suspended sentence, the immigration authorities might open an independent enquiry, summoning you to the immigration bureau a few times, and asking you to leave the nation. They either offer you a week or more to prepare and leave Japan, or let you stay in Japan until the validity of your visa, with no further renewals.

Deportation often comes with long-term restrictions (usually 5-years) on re-entry into Japan. Alongside legal consequences, individuals frequently lose their jobs and face lasting reputational damage.

What is often less discussed is the human impact behind these cases. Families in India are suddenly faced with shock and anxiety. They struggle to understand the situation from afar, often dealing with emotional stress and financial pressure at the same time. Most of the time, they are worried about improper treatment by the police and food.

The individual in custody experiences isolation, uncertainty, and fear, often compounded by language barriers. Employers are forced to make difficult decisions, usually leading to termination. The ripple effect of one incident spreads far and wide.

Role of social workers

In such situations, individuals like us, working within the community, often take on the role of facilitators. This involves visiting the detained individuals, maintaining communication between them and their families, coordinating with lawyers, and sometimes engaging with employers. The aim is not to interfere with the legal process, but to ensure clarity, reduce panic, and support those involved in navigating an unfamiliar system.

Prevention: The Most Important Solution

The most important aspect remains prevention. Avoiding such situations is neither complex nor difficult. It begins with awareness and conscious decision-making. Being cautious about one’s surroundings, especially late at night, is essential. Avoiding interactions with suspicious individuals and being mindful of one’s social circle can make a significant difference. Maintaining a structured lifestyle and staying connected with family or community also helps reduce vulnerability.

What To Do If You Feel Tempted

There are moments when individuals may feel tempted, whether out of curiosity or emotional distress. At such times, the best approach is to pause and step away from the situation. A simple act of physically leaving the environment can break the chain of impulse. Reaching out to a trusted person, be it a friend, mentor, or family member, can provide perspective. Engaging in alternative activities such as exercise, walking, or even quiet reflection can help redirect the mind. It is important to remember that temptation is temporary, but the consequences of giving in can be permanent.

What To Do If You Are Arrested

If someone does find themselves in a situation involving arrest, remaining calm becomes critical. Panic or resistance only complicates matters. Individuals have rights within the Japanese legal system, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation.

When you demand legal representation, the police refer the case to the Bar Association, which dispatches a lawyer to you. The lawyer confirms your financial status. If your monthly income and your current bank balance are less than JPY 500,000, the lawyer's services are free. In such a case, the lawyer is called a Public Lawyer (Kokusen Bengonin). 

If the above cases fail, the lawyer offers you paid services as a Private Lawyer (Shisen Bengonin). The fees of the lawyer could range from JPY 500,000 to JPY 1,500,000, depending on the case and lawyer. Sometimes, the other detainees offer you valuable information regarding a good lawyer, etc.

Speak to your lawyer first, before speaking out to the police. Make sure that the lawyer has experience handling similar cases, understands your case in depth, and offers you various options. Seeking legal support at the earliest stage can make a significant difference in how the case progresses. It is important to cooperate with the police respectfully; however, not by stating what they want.

Police could play the good-cop bad-cop drama. One must be very careful. I strongly suggest not agreeing to anything you have not done, in the expectation that you will be released quickly. Usually, it boomerangs. Also, while you are detained, the police are searching for evidence. They look for camera footage, and so on.

Physical torture usually does not happen during detention. For vegetarians, the food could be a huge problem. The detained can ask for vegetarian additions. Remember, other than the lawyer, only one person or a group of a maximum of three people can meet you in a day, and that too only for 20 minutes. You spend the rest of the day alone in a small cell. Most detainees complain about not being able to see the sunlight for days. While the police offer you clean pajamas, you can wear your own clothes. 

You are allowed to read books. You may ask your lawyer or visitors to bring books for you. Depending upon the police station, 3 to 5 books are accepted in a day. You can stack the books in your cell. The books must be clean without any handwriting. 

After Release: Rebuilding Life

For those who eventually emerge from such a situation, rebuilding their lives is not easy, but it is possible. It requires acceptance of the mistake, a commitment to change, and a gradual rebuilding of trust. Professional guidance, emotional support, and a disciplined approach to life can help individuals move forward. However, the path is often long and demanding.

Message to the Community

To the broader community, the message is simple yet important. Living in a foreign country comes with both opportunities and responsibilities. Everyone represents not only themselves but also their wider community. Respecting the laws of the host country is not optional; it is fundamental. Japan offers immense opportunities for growth, safety, and quality of life, but it expects discipline and responsibility in return.

Conclusion

Across all the cases I have handled, one statement has been common: “I never thought it would go this far.” That is often how such situations begin—not with intention, but with underestimation.

In life, many mistakes can be corrected. Some, however, change the course of one’s life permanently. The difference lies in the choices we make in seemingly small moments.

Let us make those choices wisely.