Tokyo Police Release New Video Warning of Illegal Drug Use

TOKYO, Feb 04 (News On Japan) - As the spread of cocaine and other illegal drugs becomes increasingly serious among young people, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has released a new warning video urging caution.

In the video, which is based on testimonies and real-life experiences of former drug abusers, dramatized scenes convey the dangers of illegal drugs and the risk of becoming unable to break free once use begins, with one former user saying that as frequency and dosage increase, money quickly runs out, leading some to resort to prostitution-like activities, while another reflects that they lost their dreams and aspirations far sooner than expected.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, abuse of marijuana and cocaine in particular has become a serious issue among those aged 29 and under, with the number of people arrested for cocaine-related offenses last year surging to around 280, roughly 1.5 times the previous year.

The police held a drug awareness event on the day of the video’s release, featuring appearances by comedian Hikorohi, who appeared in the video, as well as Pipokun, the department’s official mascot.

Hikorohi urged people to properly understand and fear the dangers of illegal drugs, calling on even those who have had little interest in drug abuse prevention to watch the video.

Kawachi Yoshio, head of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Organized Crime Control Division’s Drugs and Firearms Section, said Hikorohi’s message was highly persuasive and expressed confidence that young viewers who watch the video will be deterred from trying drugs, adding that he hopes the video will help reduce the number of young people who turn to illegal drugs, even if only by one.

Source: TBS

Kyoto Raises Lodging Tax as Peak Travel Season Begins

Kyoto City significantly raised its lodging tax from March 1st, increasing the maximum charge per person per night from 1,000 yen to as much as 10,000 yen, in a move aimed at tackling overtourism and funding the preservation of cultural assets, even as questions remain about its impact on visitors and the local economy.

Foreign Visitors and Ex-Rescuer Pull 80-Year-Old Woman From Hakuba Crashed Car

A former emergency responder and foreign tourists worked together to rescue a woman in her 80s who was trapped inside an overturned light vehicle in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture.

Tokyo Metro Begins Touchless Ticket Gate Trial

Tokyo Metro and Toshiba have launched Japan’s first demonstration test allowing passengers to pass through ticket gates without touching them by using their smartphones’ Bluetooth function.

Himeji Castle Hikes Admission Fee for Non-Residents

The admission fee for the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, was revised on March 1st for the first time in 11 years, introducing a dual pricing system that significantly raises costs for visitors from outside the city.

Australian Girl, 8, Dies After Snowmobile Overturns in Hakuba

An eight-year-old Australian girl died after a snowmobile overturned in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, at around 11 a.m. on February 28th, with authorities investigating the cause of the accident.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Japan’s Job Market Remains Tight, Starting Salaries Hit 400,000 Yen

With company information sessions for university students set to graduate next spring opening in March, Japan’s job-hunting season has entered full swing, once again unfolding under what is widely seen as a candidate-driven seller’s market.

Kyoto University Graduate Turns Ukiyo-e Artist

Murai Masayoshi, known professionally as Muramasa and described as a Reiwa-era ukiyo-e artist, has drawn attention for his distinctive “ukiyo-e-style portraits” that depict contemporary figures in the manner of Japan’s Edo period.

Abandoned School in Rural Kyoto Offers A Second Chance

In the Keihoku district on the northern edge of Kyoto City, a free school operating out of a former elementary school has become a sanctuary for children who struggle to attend regular classes, offering not only a second chance at learning but also a place of emotional safety for both students and their parents.

Kindergarten Teacher Wage Cuts Stir Controversy

A proposed ordinance in Otsu, western Japan, that would effectively lower salaries for public kindergarten teachers by aligning them with the lower pay scale of nursery staff has drawn strong backlash, with a citizens’ group submitting more than 8,000 signatures to the Otsu City Council chair on February 26th calling for a review of the plan.

Are Junior High School Entrance Exams Value for Money?

The financial burden of Japan’s competitive junior high school entrance exams is coming under renewed scrutiny, with a popular manga series offering a lens through which to examine whether the process delivers value for families willing to spend heavily in pursuit of academic success.

Ovulation Test Kits in Modern Japan

In recent years, awareness of reproductive health has expanded significantly across Japan.

Flat Grapes Come to Life! The Secret of Shadow & Color for Powerful Depth

In this professional critique, I demonstrate how subtle changes in shadow, color temperature, and value contrast can transform flat shapes into convincing three-dimensional form. (Watercolor by Shibasaki)

Japanese Students In Dublin | 1984

Around 16,500 students travel to Ireland each year to study English. In this report, 34 students from Immaculate Heart University in Kagoshima, Japan, spend a month in Dublin attending classes at the Language Centre of Ireland on Grafton Street , the third group from their university to do so. (TRNGL)

< 2 3 4 5 >