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16-year-old Japanese boy faces lengthy jail term in Bali over possession of marijuana

115 Comments

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115 Comments
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Too young to be named but sentenced like an adult.

12 ( +19 / -7 )

While it may be a ridiculous law, as marijuana really isn't dangerous, it's also extremely foolish to break the law in a foreign country, especially one that has a history of severe punishment for breaking these kinds of laws.

That being said, this poor kid's life is pretty much ruined. So is his mother's, especially when she returns to Japan.

Sad, sad story.

12 ( +15 / -2 )

Rule #1 in Asia - when arrested offer to pay off the cop involved. He will hit you up for all you have and some you haven't. But if you can't pay him off the price rises at the next stage. Your average Indonesian cop has to give his sergant his first 3 months pay just to get the job so he in turn has to get some income from somewhere. The police force in Indonesia is corrupt from top to bottom ( I know from personal experience) and accepting payments to let someone off is the norm. You can just about gurantee this was a set up and that same bag of hooch will be recycled and used again to nab another tourist dumb enough to buy hooch of a stranger.

12 ( +16 / -4 )

If you ever get caught doing something illegal in a dirty 3rd world country DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES call your Embassy.

1) They can't help.

2) By contacting them there is an official record which red flags the arrest and makes it difficult for the inevitably corrupt cop from extracting a bribe.

3) If any calls are to be made it should be to someone to SEND MONEY.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Same old story - regardless of your personal feelings about particular drugs, fool with them in a foreign country at your own peril. Is the mild euphoria of getting stoned in Kuta worth 10 years in Kerobokan? Me thinks not. You are dumb at any age if you tempt that fate.

7 ( +8 / -2 )

using or buying recreational drugs overseas is always a tricky business... If you are prepared to do that you must be prepared to take the consequences. On saying that, Asia has many countries with irrational and unjustifiable stances on recreational substances. 12 years is not an appropriate punishment for some herb; and not for a child of 16 certainly.

Someone above mentioned paying off the officer - that certainly IS the norm in many developing countries throughout Asia.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Another example of some poor, unsuspecting kid being screwed by authorities in Bali. I've heard of cases where the cops and the drug dealers were working together to extort as much money as they can from tourists. Bali is a filthy place to begin with... everything is falling apart there. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

For all the so very manly, shallow people who are applauding the fact a 16 year-old kid is sitting behind bars in a foreign 3rd world country for buying a single joint, its amazing that you never made a single innocuous mistake like that in your lives. I also believe you would quickly change your tune if it happened to your kid.

5 ( +11 / -5 )

Agreed with Hoserfella. Sure - the lad does not sound very bright - but he is a kid and just happened to make the mistake of experimenting in a corrupt country still in the dark ages. Let him go!

4 ( +7 / -2 )

tmarie - so you have it on good authority that the kid knew exactly how serious the crime was and what the punishment would be if he got arrested?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I don't blame the kid nor the Indonesian Government but the kids parents who obviously didn't supervise him enough and didn't teach him right from wrong.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Is 16 really an adult?

It is and it isn't. It's always come down to race and economic standing. Now Japanese see themeselves as far superior to other people the Japanese Embassy will beg to have this man pardoned even though he committed a crime.

However if you put a 16 year old Indonesian boy IN THE SAME situation here in Japan. He wouldn't have access to phone calls or a lawyer. Furthermore he'd be banned from using his language, then tried as an adult. A right to a speedy hearing with the possiblitiy of bail....nope. Japanese police can hold you for a long time without charges.

So my point is this. Both countries represented have faulty justice systems.

Getting a taste of your own medicine is always bitter.

Nothing further to say about this.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Sure why not make sure that a kid, that just bought a bit of pot,becomes a fulltime gangsta or a male prostitute. Prison the ultimate training ground for criminals, taught at taxpayer's expense. With a bit of luck he will cost society another fifty years of crime. What auseful citizen you will have turned him into.

Meanwhile, the same drug dealer is allowed to continue his lucratives sales at a resort full of tourists by just paying a monthly bribe to the police. Either that our drug selling is a profitable sideline for the police officers, or their family members. Notice the drug dealer was notjailed.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Yes, we should not even assume he was guilty. There is no reason but foolishness to trust the authorities completely anywhere in the world, let alone Bali!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It may be innocuous, but it's still a crime. And committing a drug offence in a place like Bali is just plane stupid. Which means that he deserves everything he gets.

Oh, Probie. Commiting a drug offence in a place like Bali is PLAIN stupid for someone well traveled and experienced. . However I doubt even the high and mightylike yourself knew what was what at 16.

Seriously, listen to yourself. You sound like the proverbial 75 year-old man yelling at teenagers to get off his lawn.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Stoopid! There are huge warnings everywhere about the severity of punishments for drug trafficking in Indonesia. I guess some people need to spend a bit of time in prison to understand it. Many of the dealers in Bali are given free range by the cops if they don in a foreigner every so often. Just don't buy drugs in Bali. It's pretty simple really.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

shotty reporting

How was he caught ? Was it entrapment ?

I've meet alot of idiots in Japan doing drugs and what not. Mostly caucasian males with drugs habits they had in their own country.

I understand Bali wants to make a statement for foreigners that Bali is not a drug emporium...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Sadly this is not about the danger of marijuana, obviously, since there really isn't any. This is about having inventing an imaginary problem with which to exercise societal control. The people who think in this manner would destroy a harmonious utopia to have power. The real poison are the people who want to control us and take away our joy.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

And some people would be out of a job if marijuana were no longer illegal. To them, this young man's life and future are nothing more than a means to job security.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

the boy will be released. he is too young to be sentenced under indonesian law.

2 ( +3 / -0 )

Second, he's from Japan - and you'd have a hard time trying to find a 16yr old in Japan that didn't know drugs were illegal.

He knew exactly what he was doing, and should be punished accordingly.

papasmurfinjapan - If you ever reach these shores, you'll find that Japanese teens are not the most savvy world travelers up to date on foreign drug laws.He was a typical 16 year old making a typical poor decision that we have all been guilty of. Lighten up.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Papasmurf - he's been locked up for over a month already. That being said I'm sure the shock of being arrested and thrown in jail was more than he, or you at 16, could cope with.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

he's been locked up for over a month already.

If that's the case then let's hope the case proceeds swiftly, and they consider the time spent in jail sufficient punishment and then let him free.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

UNODC estimates that in 2009, between 2.8% and 4.5% of the world population aged 15-64, corresponding to between 125 and 203 million people, had used cannabis at least once in the past year. So which prison do you want to put all these people into---- All that has happened is a kids life is in Limbo and the currupt Police officers will be able to intimidate Tourists for even more money -whether they are guilty or not!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

et tu, marie? I thought you had a little more empathy than that. You want the fear of god put in the boy? I'm certain his first night in jail did just that. But you are asking for even more retribution. You want his life all but ruined.

For buying a single joint. A 16 year-old kid.

Whats more, you want him punished to take responsibility for your own hangups about Japan.

And here I was thinking that I'D become too jaded.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

In Bali, it is usually the Javanese that come to Bali to sell drugs to tourists on the beach, the minute the traveler hands over the money, the cops seem to appear from nowhere! This happened to a Japanese friend of mine who was told that if he didn't pay a US$2000 fine, he wouldn't be set free! It's all rigged! But, I do respect the laws of the countries that have severe penalties for serious drug pushers! Funny though how the island pushers don't get penalized!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

While I agree with harsh punishment for adults who smuggle/sell hard drugs, jailing a 16 year old kid with some grass is just ridiculous. He's stupid but 12 years? Som

Professional criminals get less than that for far more serious

tmarie and probie, why am I not surprised? Picking on 16 year old kids now? So very tough of you. Outstanding.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

On the one hand, the kid probably thought that, like in Japan, he would be somewhat immune to harshness like in Japan if caught, due to age. But a DECADE for having a bit of marijuana is beyond ridiculous! Lock him up for a couple of months like the Aussie kid and then let him go -- I've no doubt he'll have learned his lesson, and Indonesia can come off looking lenient in the end.

That said... if you go into a nation like Indonesia with drugs or the intent on buying them (or even if it's spur of the moment curiousity) without knowing the laws and potential penalties, you're a moron.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"He would be busted in Japan at that age for buying a pack of Malrboro and not even weed."

He most certainly would not. There are still vending machines here and there that do not require TASPO cards, and TASPO is still screwed up to begin with in terms of facial recognition of the pic on the cards or from cameras. What's more, the newest attempt to check the age of someone purchasing cigarettes and/or alcohol is just for them to push a button on convenience store registers saying they are above 20. It's the equivalent of going to a porn site on the internet and them asking you to click the yes or no button to verify you're of age -- if the kid looks near 20 and pushes the button that's that.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Scrote: "The lesson here is stay away from Indonesia. 12 years in jail for buying marijuana, less for blowing up foreigners in a nightclub."

I'd say the lesson is more about educating yourself as to the laws of the land you will travel in, as well as the dangers, not avoiding any place you'll get in serious trouble for breaking the law for or that there's an extremely slim chance you might be the victim of violence (you wouldn't be able to go anywhere in that case!).

In any case, are people forgetting that the jail time for marijuana in Japan isn't that much less than what this kid's getting? They treat marijuana here in the same category as cocaine in terms of drugs. True, it's more likely you'd just get deported and barred before you saw any jail time, but it's still a pretty 'major' offense here.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

hoserfella:

Interesting post. What would you recommend? Indonesia should just turn a blind eye to him because he's 16 and Japanese? Indonesia should not be allowed to make and enforce their own laws? I just spent one and a half years in Indonesia, I followed their laws, I had no problem. As I said in my earlier post, to which you seem to take umbrage, I think they should lock him up for a couple months, make him stand trial, scare the crap out of him and any other Japanese kid who thinks they can break Indonesian laws, and then quietly parole him. Does that not make sense to you?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This is rediculous! Bali is a haven for drug dealers who prosper from tourist yet the police doesnt do anything about drug dealers and prosecut its tourist? More than a decade in prision for a 16 year old for self use of drungs, not that its right to use drungs but sentencing needs to take into consideration the amount and type of drug found.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Anyone that dabbles in drugs, in a country that openly declares death to drug traffickers on a big sign at the airport, might as well play Russian roulette.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Probie

If "buying a single joint" is a crime in that country, he should be sitting behind bars.

And the punishment can be either too harsh or appropriate.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What the boy did was wrong and illegal, but he is a minor and may not have fully understood the ramification of his actions. I think he, and his mother, deserve a second chance.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Maybe his mother asked him to buy it for her.....?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The only thing I find truly bizarre about the laws (I find the extreme punishments to be horrible, of course, but I 'weird') is that the kid's too young to have his name released under Indonesian law, but he's old enough to do 10 years in jail.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well said Smith. If kid's here get busted the cops call the school, not the parents, in most cases. The school gives the punishment, not the parents, in many cases. Perhaps the mom in this case should have spent more time educating her son about laws in Indonesia?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

hoserfella:

First, I do not have "a hatred for Japanese youth in general." I have a son who is Japanese, He has many friends who are Japanese. In point of fact, I feel very sorry for this lad who I am pretty sure is not a bad kid in general.

However, he broke the law in a country whee breaking the law is a very bad thing. So, getting to your solution: *The kid should have got a good stern talking to, a fine, and if need be, persona non grata in Indonesia. "

Are you suggesting this should be the punishment for just this instance? All 16 year-olds? All Japanese? What is your cut off age? To which nationalities should it apply? How about 2 joints? How about 5 if you have 5 friends and you are buying only 1 for each friend? Where is the deterrent for the next 16 year-old Japanese visitor if you set a precedent of a scolding and being PNG in a country he will probably never want to visit again?

If he was caught with illegal substances in Japan, he would spend time behind bars as the legal system work it;s way through and then he would be given probation., which is exactly what I am suggesting.

So, as I said, the kid made a mistake, he should not spend 12 years ( or even one year) in an Indonesian prison but he should know that it MIGHT have come to that.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Stupid kid. But seriously, they should just scare him a bit and send him home. He is just a young fella and he didn`t hurt anyone. I guess he never saw Midnight Express. Maybe all young teens should see it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Wrong country, kid! You need to be vacationing in the Netherlands, not Indonesia!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Madness, and a serious ugly mark on the face of Indonesia's image.

0 ( +19 / -18 )

My thumbs up for mikihouse fails to register... These comments thing is all rigged up!!!!!!!

Did it not occur to you that if someone gave a thumbs down around the same time that you gave a thumbs up they would cancel each other out? Anyway, the system seems to be working OK on your post.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If he's an adult he should do time. He is not, so why could he face up to 12 years? Makes no sense.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

The article above reads that that the prosecutor stated that the young lad is more than likely going to face severe prison time due to the tough laws against ''Narcotics.'' Marijuana is not a Narcotic. Agreed? Secondly, considering the corruption, kickbacks shylocks, scams, and all the ''under the table'' activities going on in Bali, it sounds like a prison disguised as a paradise with a warden and staff that are out of control. Reminds me of the time some hoe pulled out a quarter pound of Thai-stick 20 years ago in my rented jungle bungalow in particular country. I just about had a heart attack! I knew nothing about it! Who would the authorities have believed? I would have been swinging for sure! Bali? No thanks. I don’t use drugs but I also don’t need the hassle and the extra risk. Don’t think it can happen? Trust me, it can happen to you! User or not!!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

papasmurfinjapan

First, he's 16, that's old enough to know right from wrong and understand the consequences.

No, that's not correct, at 16 the brain is still developing, the emotional part of the brain is still not fully connected to the rational part of the brain and until the brain has matured (around the age of 18) young people can not make rational decisions.

0 ( +4 / -2 )

ScoutsHonor

Its not stupid if you have something safe to land on, and it is fun. I would sooner do it than bungee jump!

And the problem is that 16 year olds don't understand things like safety, so they jump off anyway without any safety. Why? Because 16 year olds still don't fully understand the consequences of their actions.

Half the time what experience has taught adults is to be over-cautious, fearful killjoys. And that can be just as stupid as anything!

That could be because adults are more influenced by rational decisions. They know that if they do something risky then they could get hurt.

Look, the point is that no 16 year old, no matter how "mature", precocious, intelligent, etc, is going to fully understand concepts such as consequences. That's because intelligence has nothing to do with emotion. A very intelligent person can still do very stupid things because he may nonetheless make emotional decisions. The more mature a person is, the more he can mix emotion with rationality.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I usually have no sympathy for adults getting caught with drugs in countries like that - but a 16 yr old Japanese kid? Did he even understand what he was buying?

Hope this can get solved quickly. (Yeah I might be naive, but I doubt a 16yr old Japanese kid was thinking he could pick up drugs while on holiday with his mother.)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@presto

I agree. He's had enough of a scare, time to send him home.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Crystalyle

You have a point about what kind of treatment an Indonesian kid might get in Japan. But, regardless, no kid deserves serious jail time anywhere for something like this. So you are out of line and callous.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"he allegedly bought a small amount of marijuana"

Was the seller, who most likely was in possession of more than a small amount, arrested as well?

GG2141 at 9:46am - LOL.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hoser, you know he didn't? See how easy it is to turn that around? You think this guy thought buying weed was legal? I have a magic lamp to sell you. Considering how drugs are frowned on in Japan, not too much of a stretch to think he knew it was a bad idea, right?! Really now, buying weed off the street in a developing nation? Most 16 year old aren't that dumb.

And how the heck am I "picking" on this guy? By stating I think "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime"? Please. I've already stated twice I don't agree with Indonesia on their drug stance... I'm just not about to feel sorry for a kid, more do when there gave been numerous cases of Japanese getting busted all over the place for this.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I wonder what exactly the massive threat to Indonesian society is if people smoke marijuana.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

oh yeah, I'm sure he went out looking for weed, more like some dude on the street came up to him and offered his services. I don't doubt he knew anything about what he was doing and probably doesn't even know how to smoke weed. Police should go after the big fish and leave the kid alone. A few nights in jail is all he needs and he won't think twice about buying weed again in this backward country.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The kid was set up, but now the embassy is involved they won't able to pay the bribe. I hope the judge lets him go.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Don't worry-the Indonesians will extort enough money from the family so that the kid gets off......

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tmarie- the issue is what the boy faces in Bali, not your disapproval of the Japanese system. It sounds to me that you are so jaded at kids being coddled here that deep down you'd like to see this kid rot in a Balinese jail for all your frustrations.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Hopefully he gets released in like 2 months.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Readers, please focus your comments on the story and not at each other.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wouldn't call this kid stupid. Yes, his actions were stupid but he is a teenager. Having raised one myself, I know they really aren't able to fully appreciate the consequences to their actions until it is too late. That said, I agree that the penalty is really harsh for what really is a minor offense. He did break the law and it does need to be dealt with but 12 years is too much. I'd rather see this boy spend a couple weeks in jail to get a taste of that life then get a suspended sentence and perhaps barred from entering the country again. At 16 that should be enough for him to think twice before testing the law again.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The lesson here is stay away from Indonesia. 12 years in jail for buying marijuana, less for blowing up foreigners in a nightclub.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Isn't it funny. When Japan wants to crack down on Japanese kids under 18, many people are all for it. However when a foreign country crack down on Japanese kids people change their tune. Come on! Either support strick laws or don't. Personally I think 12 years is too harsh for a kid.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Scrote: "The lesson here is stay away from Indonesia. 12 years in jail for buying marijuana, less for blowing up foreigners in a nightclub." How many people have tried blowing up foreigners in Bali? I think more people have tried drugs!!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Smith - the hypocrisy of earlier posters reads like this,

A 16 year-old Japanese kid gets busted in Bali for buying a single joint, gets 12 possible years behind bars, and the posters puff out their chests and say, "Yup, that punishment sounds about right".

A 16 year-old kid gets busted for buying a single joit in Canada, 50 dollar fine or whatever it is, and the same posters will no doubt say "Yup, that punishment sounds about right".

Again, I'm not here to debate Indonisian law, only to point out the hypocrisy and blasé attitude towards this kid's life.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

he was busted.. with a joint?? all you 'people' that want him to do time are completely deluded. it's weed people. weed!! weed is a substance that is in many countries prohibited, for whatever reason (do your homework if you will). if you are one of the people that think this young lad doing time in an indonesian prison is a good thing, you need to seriously wake up. ridiculous penalties for out of date, irrelevant, and destructive drug laws destroy lives way more than the harmful exploration of substances. some people really need to broaden their experience in life. that or or just shut their mouths..

*and just in case you're wondering: I know what I'm talking about..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have said many times, if people need to smoke marijuana, study about the countries you decide to do it in. A country is not going to change their laws overnight to accommodate how people from Western countries feel.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think that society is guilty! Everywhere you can find people declaring in a vainglorious way that they either smoke or have smoked pot sometime in their lives like if it was a conduct to be proud of...I have been invited to try it many times in Hawaii and Bali but I always refused because of my principles based on how I was raised, to follow the correct according to our common sense and mine have always said that If it's against the law it's because it's wrong or not good so you'd better not do it. I almost did try once in Japan and the reason was to try to be part of that "society", to be called "cool" however my family's principles prevailed and today people can call me dull, boring, archaic, whatever but I'm glad I'm not experiencing what this 16 year old boy is passing through right now and can proudly tell my son as he grows up that I refused a place with the "cool" people, I've never had any kind of drugs for my own benefits and hope he follows my principles to avoid ending up like this boy or have his brain neurons killed little by little!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I agree with gaijininfo and tamarama above. When in Rome...follow the Roman laws regardless of how Byzantine they may be.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Kid's, Say "no" to drug's...Police are not your friend's Walk the line when visiting forein countries. Why chance it? Obey the Law's and spend less of your life behind bar's!!!

-1 ( +1 / -1 )

poor kid

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

the only reason pot is illegal is because keeping position a crime is very proffitable to goverments and the prison industry..The use of marijuana has far less negative health and social affects than the use of alcohol. I am glad I live in Alaska were position of weed is pretty much decriminalized,if you get caught with a small amount of weed or busted growing a couple of plants for personnel use there is a small fine. God help this poor youth,he is being abused by the Bali government.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Poor kid. If he wanted to smoke grass he shoulda went to Cali instead of Bali.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Horsefella has got it right.............at 16 you know it all and what would you (normally the parents) know? Kids make mistakes but should not be banged up for ten or so years for making mistakes.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Wow! Deep stuff! Though 12 years is steep for just marijuana, we have to think what becomes of the money used to buy drugs. It supports terrorists, prostitution/human trafficking, and other crime. So even though it was not a hard drug, it was a drug. The kid should have known better than to make contact with drugs in such a country. 16 years old is not a child anymore. I doubt he will return to Japan when he's 28 only to do drugs again. A very tough lesson to learn.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

As for the Japan comment, are you kidding me? How many times do we hear from the locals "Oh he bought it from a foreigner? Oh the foreigners are the ones that do drugs?" in this country. A little humour but really, when will the comment be made by some ignorant wareware local? There has already been mention of an international school so it shouldn't be long.

Yeah, I can see I missed the mark on that charge...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Agree with tmarie.

Considering he comes from a country where the legal smoking age is 20, back home it is 16.

He would be busted in Japan at that age for buying a pack of Malrboro and not even weed.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Hoser, you know he didn't? See how easy it is to turn that around?

tmarie- If you've spent any amount of time with the average Japanese 16 year old you'd know they don't have a clue about the world outside of Narita airport.

Again, I'm simply disgusted you and a few others here have no trouble seeing this kid's life potentially ruined because of your own sorry attitudes towards youth in general.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Weed is illegal in Japan do... That makes it okay in a different country. How about this, you go out and ask a bunch of 16 year olds about this and come back with the results. I think you'd be surprised at what they have to say.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

It is funny (not really tho) because in Islamic societies alcohol is forbidden. Partly due to that, hash and pot have been traditional relaxants in the Islamic world.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hoser, feel free to think that if you like. I've said nothing of the sort though and am rather tired of repeating my stance on this with you.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I would assume you think kids here are coddled based on your comment eh?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Late last year, a 14-year-old Australian boy avoided prison after serving two months in an Indonesia detention center for buying drugs. The court showed leniency after the boy expressed remorse and said he had bought the drugs for personal use.

I hope someone sent that information to this 16 yo.

Indonesia, make an example of him and then let him go!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I think they should lock him up for a couple months, make him stand trial, scare the crap out of him and any other Japanese kid who thinks they can break Indonesian laws, and then quietly parole him. Does that not make sense to you?

techall - First of all, no, Im not saying anyone should turn a blind eye or that the kid should be free to smoke pot in Bali. My point is the hypocrisy of westerners who cavalierly say a 16 year-old boy should be locked up "for a couple months" (like yourself) for buying a single joint when you'd be screaming bloody murder if a similar sentence were carried out in your own home country.

My other point is if this pathetic, jaded attitude is possibly also because of a hatred for Japanese youth in general.

The kid should have got a good stern talking to, a fine, and if need be, persona non grata in Indonesia. You know that, I know that. But you say a couple of months in a jail (with all the horrors that might entail) like you're handing out speeding tickets? Nothing but hypocrisy and at best, internet bravado.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hoser, I'm from a max country when it comes to weed but at 16 knew not to press my luck when abroad. What's your point? What our countries do have no bearing on the case at hand. If you want to play that card, why not look at Japan and their punishment of buying weed? More do if you're a foreigner.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

hoserfella: "My point is the hypocrisy of westerners who cavalierly say a 16 year-old boy should be locked up "for a couple months" (like yourself) for buying a single joint when you'd be screaming bloody murder if a similar sentence were carried out in your own home country."

How is that hypocrisy in any way unless the laws of every nation are exactly the same? YES, people in my nation would scream bloody murder if a kid were sentenced to up to 12 years or only "a few months" for buying a joint because that would absolutely never happen -- it's barely a misdemeanor! In Indonesia it is not only NOT a misdemeanor, it's a major crime. Hoping the kid only gets a couple of months, as the Aussie did in the end, in a nation that could put him away for 10 years or more is not hypocrisy, and quite frankly I'm astounded you cannot see the obvious.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Very sage advice Dudeduece, except for two things, the kid probably had no plan or need to smoke a joint. And the last time I checked, Japan was an *eastern *country..

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'm with Probie.

First, he's 16, that's old enough to know right from wrong and understand the consequences.

Second, he's from Japan - and you'd have a hard time trying to find a 16yr old in Japan that didn't know drugs were illegal.

He knew exactly what he was doing, and should be punished accordingly.

-2 ( +5 / -8 )

My attitude toward youth in general?! Haha! Classic. You got this from one post about one stupid individual who got. Here's for doing something illegal. If anything I'm usually all about blaming the parents though at 16?! Not a chance. Nice try though.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Extortions or not, it's Indonesian law!!! Entrapment or not, it's Indonesian law. 16-yr old in my opinion should be old enough to be tried as an adult, it's Indonesian strict drug law. He deserve the harsh 12-yr sentence for being stupid. I have no sympathy for him.

NEVER MESS WITH THE "strict drug law" especially if you're in Indonesia!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

GG2141

haha nice answer!!!!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Got to be a dope to smoke dope anyway

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

**et tu, marie? I thought you had a little more empathy than that. You want the fear of god put in the boy? I'm certain his first night in jail did just that. But you are asking for even more retribution. You want his life all but ruined.

For buying a single joint. A 16 year-old kid.

Whats more, you want him punished to take responsibility for your own hangups about Japan.

And here I was thinking that I'D become too jaded.**

Wow, talk about reading into a post. Where am I asking for "even more retribution"? Where have I suggested I "want his life all but ruined"? Where have I asked this kid to "take responsibility for my own hangups about Japan"?

What I have merely stated is that this "kid" know what he was doing was wrong but thought he could get away with it. There is a law, there are punishments that are handed out when people break said law. I also said " I certainly don't like the Indonesia laws with regards to this but it is their law and if you can't abide by it, don't go. Simple as that." This kid thought he was above the law and will now have to suffer the punishment for his crime. Why should he be an except to the law? Sorry but at 16 you know wrong from right, you know there are punishments for breaking the law. Why everyone is crying about him being a child, how Indonesia is wrong for this... Guess what, we're all aware of what will happen if we buy a joint in Indonesia - which is exactly why most of us wouldn't do it. How many Japanese have been arrested recently for buying drugs/smuggling in south east Asia? Ignorance is no excuse. More so when one comes from a country that also doesn't allow weed and faces stiff penalties - more so if you are a foreigner like this guy is in Indonesia.

As for the Japan comment, are you kidding me? How many times do we hear from the locals "Oh he bought it from a foreigner? Oh the foreigners are the ones that do drugs?" in this country. A little humour but really, when will the comment be made by some ignorant wareware local? There has already been mention of an international school so it shouldn't be long.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Interesting how some here calling for the boys head ("Lets make an example of him!" "I have no sympathy", "lock him up!") no doubt grew up in progressive, more enlightened first-world countries, yet are not willing to allow the same leniency and human rights they themselves enjoy in their own countries.

Sad, more than anything.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

you'll find that Japanese teens are not the most savvy world travelers up to date on foreign drug laws

Do they need to be? The point is, I'm sure he knew it was illegal in Japan, so he should know or at least presume that it is illegal in other countries too.

Of course I think a 12yr sentence for possession of a joint is crazy, but they shouldn't just slap him on the wrist either. Keep him locked up for a week and then let him go like the Australian kid - hopefully that will teach him a lesson.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

techall - as the mods would say, "we're going around in circles". You need to read my last post for all your answers.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I do agree 12 years is a bit stiff, but if thats the law of that country thats it, sorry do do drugs in that country you know the rules done think you can get away with it. and dont moan afterwards that your in the police sells once youve been caught!!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

For all the so very manly, shallow people who are applauding the fact a 16 year-old kid is sitting behind bars in a foreign 3rd world country for buying a single joint,

If "buying a single joint" is a crime in that country, he should be sitting behind bars.

its amazing that you never made a single innocuous mistake like that in your lives.

It may be innocuous, but it's still a crime. And committing a drug offence in a place like Bali is just plane stupid. Which means that he deserves everything he gets.

I also believe you would quickly change your tune if it happened to your kid.

I probably would change my tune, but I wouldn't expect everyone else in the world to feel sorry for my kid, or not expect some people to make fun of the situation, or not to say what an a$$clown they were for doing it.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

First, he's 16, that's old enough to know right from wrong and understand the consequences.

No, that's not correct, at 16 the brain is still developing, the emotional part of the brain is still not fully connected to the rational part of the brain and until the brain has matured (around the age of 18) young people can not make rational decisions.

Hey, when I was 16, I knew that drugs were illegal. I'm betting you did too.

If "buying a single joint" is a crime in that country, he should be sitting behind bars.

And the punishment can be either too harsh or appropriate.

And it can be too lenient and no use as a deterrent too.

If you don't want to risk being punished too harshly or inappropriately, don't do the crime.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Sorry but at 16 this kid clearly knew what he was doing. He clearly thought he could get away with it. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. I certainly don't like the Indonesia laws with regards to this but it is their law and if you can't abide by it, don't go. Simple as that.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

No body is perfect, let us all feel sorry for this dumb ass 16 year old Japanese kid and let us start a protest in front of the Indonesian embassy here in Tokyo!!! Free Willy or what ever this young lad with a bit of bad luck down there in Bali, INDONESIA!! Bad, bad, Indonesians! This mother should have taken him a bit farther south, to any where in Australia and they could have all gotten stoned night and day win no worries mates!

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Oh, Probie. Commiting a drug offence in a place like Bali is PLAIN stupid for someone well traveled and experienced. . However I doubt even the high and mighty like yourself knew what was what at 16.

I knew that drugs were illegal when I was a lot younger than 16. I'm sure you did too.

Seriously, listen to yourself. You sound like the proverbial 75 year-old man yelling at teenagers to get off his lawn.

Hey, this never would've happened when I was a boy! ;)

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

jail him for a while and make sure he will not even think of doing the same stunt as long as he lives.

-8 ( +15 / -20 )

I do agree with Mikihouse, jail him for a while and make sure he will not even think of doing the same stunt as long as he lives.

-8 ( +5 / -11 )

What the boy did was wrong and illegal, but he is a minor and may not have fully understood the ramification of his actions. I think he, and his mother, deserve a second chance.

Oh please. He didn't know buying weed was against the law?? How do you know this isn't the first time he's done this? Second chance? This isn't bowling. This guy bought illegal drugs in a country well known for having the death penalty when it comes to drugs.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Dam just stupid... Why do Japanese think that they can get away with this kind of B.S. Lock him up for 5 years and let him think about what he did.

-12 ( +4 / -14 )

If he's an adult he should do time. He is not, so why could he face up to 12 years? Makes no sense.

Because he committed a crime? 16 is old enough to know what is or isn't a crime.

-14 ( +4 / -16 )

Hahaha! Stupid kid!

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

So according to Indonesian law, it is OK for a 14 year old to use drugs?!?

-16 ( +4 / -18 )

Also a student at the international school, which I think is called greenschool, made entirely from bamboo.

What does that have to do with anything?

I hope his mother buys him a dress for while he's in jail.

-18 ( +1 / -18 )

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