Tokyo Police Release New Video Warning of Illegal Drug Use

Feb 04, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - 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

Typhoon No. 25 Threatens Kanto and Izu Islands

Large Typhoon No. 25 was moving northwest over waters south of Japan at 3 p.m. on September 19 and is forecast to strengthen as it approaches Kanto and the Izu Islands from September 20 through September 21, bringing the risk of torrential rain, violent winds and further damage in areas still recovering from last year's typhoon.

Bear Sighting Raises Alarm at Popular Tokyo Hiking Spot

A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.

Starbucks Considers Selling Majority Stake in Japan Business

Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

Halloween Jumbo Lottery Goes on Sale With 400 Million Yen Top Prize

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

Shinkansen Introduces New Luxury Private Compartment

A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Ronald McDonald House Breaks Ground in Kyoto

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kyoto City on September 15 for Ronald McDonald House Kyoto, a residential facility where children undergoing medical treatment will be able to stay together with their families.

100 Million Yen Replica Teaches the Weight of Taxes

Elementary school students in Fukuoka got a hands-on lesson in the importance of taxes on September 11, lifting a 10-kilogram replica of 100 million yen as part of a class designed to show how public money supports society.

Raccoons Spread Into Osaka Raising Disease Risk

Raccoons are increasingly appearing in urban areas of Japan, including residential neighborhoods near Shin-Osaka Station, raising concerns over disease, attacks on people and agricultural damage that reached about 700 million yen nationwide last year.

Japanese Teens Spend Least Time on Social Media Among 24 Countries

Japanese 15-year-olds spend an average of 2.3 hours browsing social media during their weekday free time, the shortest amount among 24 countries surveyed, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Osaka Hospital Prepares Baby Hatch

Renovation work has begun at a hospital in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, as the city prepares to introduce a baby hatch for parents unable to raise their children and a confidential birth system that allows pregnant women to give birth without publicly disclosing their identities.

Beware Landslide Just 10 Minutes After Cracks Appear

A disaster prevention experiment has shown how quickly a rain-soaked slope can collapse once visible cracks appear, highlighting the need for people in landslide-prone areas to evacuate before conditions become critical as the risk of disasters remains elevated through early next week.

Japanese Students See Value in Cultural Understanding

Nearly 60% of Japanese high school students consider learning about different cultures "very important," the highest proportion among Japan, the United States, China and South Korea, according to a survey released by the National Institution for Youth Education.

Japan Prepares for Millions Aging Without Relatives

The number of elderly people in Japan with no relatives to rely on is projected to rise to 4.48 million by 2050, or roughly one in nine seniors, prompting the government to create a new system under revised social welfare laws to support people with daily needs, hospitalization and arrangements after death.

< 2 3 4 5 >