Latest news with #TokyoCustoms
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
3 Arrested Over Smuggling 1 Ton of Cannabis Into Japan; Cannabis, Worth ¥5.2 Bil., Smuggled from Vietnam to Tokyo Port
Three Vietnamese nationals have been arrested on suspicion of violating the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law after about 1 ton of dried cannabis, worth about ¥5.2 billion, was seized after being smuggled into Tokyo Port. The Narcotics Control Department of Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare made the announcement on Wednesday. It is reportedly the largest amount ever seized of an illicit drug in Japan at one time. One of the people arrested is a 51-year-old woman living in Chikusei, Ibaraki Prefecture. According to the announcement, the woman, conspiring with an unidentified person, is suspected of hiding about 1,046 kilograms of dried cannabis in a shipping container and smuggling it onto a cargo ship from a port in Da Nang, Vietnam, to Tokyo Port from May 26 to June 5. The two other suspects, both men, are suspected of holding the smuggled cannabis at a builder's yard in Tochigi Prefecture on June 18. The three were arrested in June and July, and they were subsequently indicted. Tokyo Customs found the dried cannabis, which was divided into about 5 kilogram bags, in 200 of the about 1,500 imported boxes labeled charcoal, and reported it to the narcotics control department. The two men were then arrested after they received the packages at the yard, and the dried cannabis was seized. As the packages were set to be sent to a business in Osaka, the department suspects that the woman is the main person to receive the drugs in Japan and that an international smuggling ring might be involved.
Tokyo Reported
2 days ago
- Tokyo Reported
Pot bust! Three Vietnamese arrested after record 1-ton marijuana seizure
TOKYO (TR) – Law enforcement on Wednesday announced the arrest of three Vietnamese nationals after the seizure of more than one ton of marijuana in Tochigi Prefecture earlier this year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Aug. 13). The seizure is the largest on record for an illegal drug anywhere in Japan since statistics began being kept in 1951, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's Narcotics Control Division. According to the division, the three Vietnamese nationals, including Pham Ngoc Thuy, 51, allegedly worked together to smuggle approximately 1,046 kilograms of marijuana — with a street value of approximately 5.2 billion yen — on a cargo ship that arrived at Tokyo Port from Da Nang Port in Vietnam in June. The marijuana was divided into 200 cardboard boxes inside a container and transported to a materials storage facility in Tochigi Prefecture. Two of the defendants are alleged to have possessed the marijuana at a storage facility on June 18. Pham is a renovator from Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture. After their arrests, all three were indicted on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. violating the Narcotics Control Act regarding smuggling. The division did not reveal whether the defendants admit to the allegations, citing it as a potential hindrance to the investigation. The smuggling was discovered during an inspection by Tokyo Customs. The final destination for the shipment was a business in Osaka City. The division is continuing the investigation, believing that the defendants were key players in receiving the shipment and that an international smuggling organization may be involved. Authorities seized more than one ton of marijuana from a storage facility in June (X) 'Smuggling operation' According to interviews with investigators and information on the ship's route published on a private website, the ship used for the smuggling departed Da Nang Port in Vietnam on May 26. It then passed through ports in China before arriving at Tokyo Port on June 5, reports NHK (Aug. 13). The large amount of marijuana brought into Japan was first discovered by Tokyo Customs, which inspects imported cargo. When the container was searched at Tokyo Port, marijuana was found hidden in 200 of the approximately 1,500 cardboard boxes that had been imported as charcoal. The Narcotics Control Bureau then did not immediately seize the marijuana, but instead conducted a 'live-controlled delivery,' a type of 'smuggling operation,' in order to uncover the smuggling ring. In a 'smuggling operation,' the drugs are sometimes switched with another item to avoid losing track of them, but in a 'live-controlled delivery' the cargo is tracked directly without being switched. This method was chosen to minimize the risk of being detected by the smuggling group. The large amount of marijuana was then transported out of the port under surveillance by the Narcotics Control Department. The original destination was Osaka City, but the marijuana was moved north and taken to the aforementioned storage facility in Tochigi Prefecture. The Narcotics Control Department subsequently arrested several Vietnamese nationals who had come to the storage facility to pick up the marijuana. A ship containing more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana arrived at Tokyo Port on June 5 (NHK) Marijuana use getting higher among young people Last year, customs officials made a record 390 marijuana smuggling-related busts nationwide at airports and ports last year. The underlying cause is thought to be the widespread abuse of marijuana, particularly among young people. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 6,342 people were arrested by police and Narcotics Control Department officials nationwide for possession or smuggling of marijuana last year. The figure is the second highest ever, following the record-high reached two years ago. Of them, 4,600 people were in their 20s or teens or younger, accounting for over 70 percent of the total, an increase of 4.4 times over the 1,049 recorded in 2015. This indicates a notable trend, particularly among young people. There have also been a number of cases of marijuana being bought and sold on social media, often under such euphemisms such as 'vegetables.' Feeling increasingly concerned about the situation, the Narcotics Control Department is strengthening border control measures. Since 2020, smuggling prevention divisions have been established in the Narcotics Control Departments of Tokyo, Osaka and other cities. When illegal drug smuggling is discovered at airports or ports, the departments work with police and customs to investigate smuggling groups. In the Tochigi case, a smuggling prevention division joined the investigation, working in cooperation with the Japan Coast Guard and customs. High price Harumi Seto, former director of the Narcotics Control Division of the Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Health and Welfare Bureau, points out that smugglers are taking advantage of the high price marijuana can fetch in Japan compared to overseas. Regarding the recent smuggling case, Seto said, 'One ton of marijuana is the equivalent of 2 million doses. With demand for marijuana in Japan and the price being more than five times higher than overseas, the perpetrators probably thought they could sell it at a high price.' Regarding the spread of marijuana use in Japan, he said, 'It's possible to purchase it using social media or highly confidential communication apps, and, conversely, we live in an age where anyone can become a 'drug dealer' as if it were a part-time job. While there is a lack of awareness of the dangers of marijuana, it is becoming established as a primary drug among some young people.' He went on to point out, 'In addition to marijuana being smuggled from overseas, there have been a number of cases of domestically grown marijuana being sold illegally. To prevent abuse, Japan's investigative agencies need to work together to proactively crack down on smuggling and cultivation.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Eel Imports Peak at Narita Airport Ahead of Day When Grilled Eel Traditionally Eaten
NARITA, Chiba – Narita Airport is facing the busiest time of year for live eel imports as it gets closer to the Day of the Ox, a day in midsummer when grilled eel is traditionally eaten. This year, the Day of the Ox takes place on July 19 and 31. Of the 8,062 tons of eels imported into Japan last year, Narita Airport handled 6,490 tons, or about 80%, according to Tokyo Customs. In July last year, 1,158 tons of eels were imported nationwide, and 890 tons passed through Narita Airport. Both figures were the highest for 2024. An import company in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, purchased on Wednesday about 2 tons of Japanese eels farmed in China and Taiwan . The president of the company said this year's market price is about the same as last year. The president also said the price, so far, has not been affected by the European Union's June proposal to regulate eel trade under the Washington Convention, which restricts the international trade of protected species. 'Even though it's hot, I want people to stay healthy by eating eels,' the company president said.
The Mainichi
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Busting counterfeits: How customs experts in Tokyo spot fake imports
TOKYO -- Suspensions of imports of counterfeit brand-name goods and other such items surpassed 33,000 cases in Japan in 2024, a record high. The estimated combined price of these goods, if they were genuine, would reach approximately 28.2 billion yen (some $196 million). The Mainichi Shimbun examined frontline border control efforts aimed to detect counterfeit products, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Customs authorities are responsible for intercepting illegally imported goods at airports and ports. They target not only illegal drugs and hazardous materials but also keep a close eye on counterfeit items such as fake brand-name goods and character merchandise infringing on intellectual property rights such as trademarks and copyrights. According to the Ministry of Finance, the number of import suspensions for counterfeit goods in 2024 increased by 4.3% compared to the previous year, reaching 33,019 cases. Following amendments to the Customs Act in 2022, individual imports via online shopping sites have also become subject to regulation, contributing to the rising trend. By category, clothing topped the list of suspended imports, accounting for 31.1% of cases, followed by bags at 19.3% and footwear at 11.2%, indicating everyday items were common. Over 90% of these cases involved trademark infringements, such as with fake brand-name products. Importance of smell and appearance When importing goods as cargo from abroad, importers must declare them to customs. At the Tokyo Customs office in the coastal area of the capital's Koto Ward, dozens of suspected counterfeit items arrive daily from Tokyo Port as well as from Haneda and Narita airports. The customs office has a group of professionals who inspect these goods by hand to determine their authenticity. "Ugh, this has a strange smell," said Sakia Jitta, 31, who works in the Intellectual Property Division at Tokyo Customs, as she leaned in to sniff a tote bag featuring the logo of a famous brand. Indeed, when this reporter was allowed to sniff the bag, a sharp chemical odor hit my nose. Smell is a key method for identifying counterfeit goods. In the case of leather bags, genuine products have "a nice leather smell," according to Takuya Yoneda from the same division. Counterfeit products, on the other hand, often have unusual odors such as those reminiscent of chemicals or fish. Naturally, the appearance of the item is also an important factor. I was shown a pair of sneakers that were suspected to be counterfeits of a major sports brand. They looked ordinary at first glance, but upon removing the insoles, there were loose threads sticking out from the seams. The stitching was rough, and the shoebox had dents in it. Caution over awkward Japanese Another key clue is the sense of something being "off," developed through daily experience handling counterfeit goods. Not only the items themselves but other signs of shoddiness such as accompanying manuals with poor Japanese or incorrect characters can be red flags, officials say. Information provided by companies can often aid in identifying counterfeits. Businesses that own brands or characters and copyright holders can file a complaint in advance to request the suspension of imports if they suspect counterfeit goods may enter the country. The specific identification points that companies submit to customs to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits are also used for border control measures. Officials say some companies even visit customs to provide explanations directly. When in doubt, it's important not to shoulder the burden alone. Jitta points out that customs suspensions involve "halting someone's property rights," and come with a heavy responsibility. Next to the desk of Jitta and her colleagues is a dedicated team of about 40 people who provide consultation to customs officials nationwide. If these professionals determine that an item is likely counterfeit, customs notifies the importer and the company or other party holding intellectual property rights. If the goods are deemed to be counterfeit after considering both parties' opinions, customs will confiscate and dispose of them after a certain period. No refunds are issued for seized goods. While there are no penalties for individual importers, those importing counterfeit goods for business purposes can face penalties under the Customs Act including imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 10 million yen (about $69,500). Advanced counterfeiting techniques Despite this robust framework, Kazunori Umekado, 58, who has been involved in such work for around 30 years, divulges, "The level of difficulty is gradually increasing as the production technology of counterfeit products are becoming more sophisticated, making it harder to distinguish them from genuine products." In terms of the number of cases where imports of items were suspended, about 80% had been exported from China. As authentic brand items are increasingly being manufactured in China, serving as the "world's factory," the technology for creating counterfeits is also said to have advanced, intensifying the cat-and-mouse game with customs at the border. The strain on customs inspection operations is also a challenge. The rise in online shopping has led to large numbers of fake products being imported in small lots via international mail and other means. Is the mindset 'copies are fine' OK? Counterfeit goods are often sold on online platforms at prices lower than genuine products. While some may think, "If it's cheaper and looks the same, a copy is fine, " this is premature. If counterfeit goods enter the market, it can undermine the business foundations of companies that manufacture and sell genuine products, leading to issues such as financial difficulties. Profits from counterfeit sales are also said to be a funding source for organized crime groups. Additionally, the safety of counterfeit products like cosmetics and water purifiers has not been confirmed, and they could pose unexpected health risks. Jitta commented, "Once counterfeits are sold domestically, it becomes difficult to recover them, and brand image can suffer. It is important to crack down on intellectual property violations to protect Japan's public interests."
Tokyo Reported
18-05-2025
- Tokyo Reported
French woman suspected of attempting to smuggle 40 kg of ketamine into Japan
TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Customs officials said last week that a French woman on suspicion of attempting to smuggle more than 40 kilograms of ketamine into Japan inside her luggage. The bust is the largest of its kind on record, reports the Asahi Shimbun (May 15). In April, Amira Sirine Mouissi, 21, allegedly attempted to smuggle approximately 41 kilograms of the drug ketamine through Haneda Airport after disembarking from a flight from Germany on April 24. According to Tokyo Customs, the ketamine was divied into small bags and spread out in two suitcases. The contraband has a street value of around 900 million yen. After Mouissi disembarked, a Tokyo Customs staff member became suspicious of the weight of the suitcases and initiated a search. Mouissi explained to officials that she had accepted a high-paying job in France and received the suitcases in Germany, but she said she 'doesn't want to talk about what was inside' the suitcases. According to Tokyo Customs, the amount exceeds the 28 kilograms that the agency seized all of last year. It is also the largest amount ever seized at one time by a domestic investigative agency. Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic. When used recreationally, it distorts perceptions of sight and sound and can cause hallucinations.
