Two American women have been taken into custody in Japan after authorities accused them of trying to bring nearly $1 million worth of marijuana into the country, where drug offenses are punished under some of the world’s toughest laws.
The women, both 25 and not publicly identified, allegedly arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from New York last week carrying two suitcases filled with what police described as “cannabis-like dried plants” hidden inside the luggage, according to a police spokesperson.
Images aired by local broadcaster Nippon TV appeared to show the size of the haul, with dozens of small packages of suspected marijuana laid out across a table and packed into open black suitcases.
Japan enforces strict anti-drug regulations, and people convicted of possessing or smuggling banned narcotics, including cannabis, can face lengthy prison sentences.
The suspected marijuana weighed about 66 pounds and carried an estimated street value of roughly $970,000, or around 150 million yen, local outlet Nikkei reported.
Police said the two suitcases held 35 smaller bags of marijuana in total. The luggage was reportedly loaded onto a flight in New York on September 4 and arrived at Haneda Airport in Tokyo the next day.
One of the women has admitted involvement, allegedly telling Tokyo police that she accepted the job for the payment and was “attracted by the fact I could go to Japan for free,” Nippon TV reported.
The second woman has denied knowing the drugs were in the luggage, allegedly saying she “didn’t know that cannabis was inside” the suitcases, the Tokyo Shimbun reported, citing unnamed police sources.
Two American women have been arrested in Japan over allegations they attempted to smuggle marijuana worth nearly $1 million into the country
The two unidentified 25-year-olds allegedly flew from New York into Tokyo’s Haneda Airport last week with suitcases containing “cannabis-like dried plants” hidden inside, police said (stock photo)
Local media reported that the seizure weighed about 66 pounds, or 30 kilograms, and had an estimated street value of around $970,000, equivalent to roughly 150 million yen
Investigators believe the two friends “conspired with someone else whose name was unknown” in the alleged smuggling operation.
They told authorities they had received instructions from a man they met through social media, but admitted they had never met him face-to-face.
Police said it wasn’t until a customs officer became suspicious and searched the suitcases at an airport inspection area that they discovered the pounds of marijuana hidden inside.
The women were arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s drugs and psychotropics control law by allegedly smuggling marijuana for profit, a department spokesman said.
The pair were also accused of violating two other unnamed laws, he added.
Those convicted of smuggling cannabis for profit can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 3 million yen.
In Japan, bringing any cannabis products into the country, even if they were legally purchased elsewhere, can lead to arrest and deportation.
Japan allows certain cannabis-derived medicines for severe conditions, including rare forms of epilepsy, but only under strict medical supervision. Smokable medical cannabis and broader patient access remain prohibited.
Japan has some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, where smuggling or possessing illegal narcotics, including marijuana, can result in years behind bars
Last year, Tony-nominated American playwright Jeremy O Harris was arrested in Japan on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug ecstasy
In Japan, bringing any cannabis products into the country, even if they were legally purchased elsewhere, can lead to arrest and deportation (stock photo)
However, non-psychoactive CBD and hemp-derived products are legal, but they must contain no THC or only trace amounts within the country’s extremely strict limits.
As for other drugs, Japan has a zero-tolerance policy, with recreational drugs such as cocaine and heroin strictly illegal, along with many common Western over-the-counter and prescription medications containing stimulants or opioids.
Last year, Tony-nominated American playwright Jeremy O Harris was arrested in Japan on suspicion of smuggling the psychedelic drug ecstasy.
The Emily in Paris actor was taken into custody at Naha Airport on November 16, 2025, when customs officials allegedly found a crystal substance in his tote bag, according to multiple reports.
Authorities said the substance tested positive for MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, weighing roughly 780 milligrams, significantly more than a typical recreational dose.
Japanese authorities found no other drugs in his luggage and believe the MDMA was intended for personal use. He was released after spending three weeks in custody.
