crime

Ex-education ministry bureaucrat given suspended term for drug use, possession

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If your going to use drugs get a job as a Beauracrat, it's a form of insurance that exempts you from punishment. Of course you could be smart enough not get busted. So much for Japan's harsh drug penalties.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

If your going to use drugs get a job as a Beauracrat, it's a form of insurance that exempts you from punishment. Of course you could be smart enough not get busted. So much for Japan's harsh drug penalties.

Wait, how is this sentence different from what the average Taro gets? The overwhelming majority of first drug offenses in Japan get suspended sentences. I missed the part in the article that explains what this guy got different from that. Care to fill me in? Because I'm not seeing it.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

Maybe Fukuzawa’s use of the drugs suggests that he was a habitual user-

a suspended sentence appears too lax.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Strangerland - Wait, how is this sentence different from what the average Taro gets? The overwhelming majority of first drug offenses in Japan get suspended sentences.

One of my American friends was sentenced to 8 months in prison for having less than one gram of pot in his pocket in Roppongi. I guess he is not an 'Average Taro'. He is an 'average foreigner'.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

But if it were an average taro they would do time for sure, go figure?!

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Strangerland, Japan apparently has very strick drug laws as you know. First offence or not it would appear that this individual was using not just at home but at work too!

I don't agree with the law in this matter and I am mearly pointing out the as a Career Beauracrat Justice is dispensed with one eye closed. Taking ¥10 from a temple gets you year in prison. Getting waisted at work that being overseeing children's education gets a suspended sentance. Personally something is not right.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

It's good that Japan is showing more lenient sentences fro drug use, a step in the right direction. Now let's make sure that it applies to gaijins too!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

One of my American friends was sentenced to 8 months in prison for having less than one gram of pot in his pocket in Roppongi. I guess he is not an 'Average Taro'. He is an 'average foreigner'.

Too bad for your one friend. How does that change the fact that the overwhelming majority of first time drug offenders in japan result in a suspended sentence?

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Strangerland, Japan apparently has very strick drug laws as you know.

Nevertheless, first time drug offences end in a suspended sentence the overwhelming majority of the time.

Your original post was saying he got some sort of special treatment for being a bureaucrat , but he didn’t. He got the standard treatment.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Maybe Fukuzawa’s use of the drugs suggests that he was a habitual user-

a suspended sentence appears too lax.

Yeah, because prison has shown itself to be such an effective means of dealing with a mental health issue. That’s why the war on drugs has been so effective, right?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Why is it people keep repeating the nonsense that a suspended sentence for a first time drug offensive is special treatment for (insert celebrity, bureaucrat, rich person, etc)? As Strangerland says, the vast majority of such cases in Japan receive a suspended sentence regardless of who the convicted person is.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

In addition to the suspended sentence he has also lost his job. I think that is punishment enough for a first offence.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

If this guy was a freeter or unemployed person from a poor family, he would have been sentenced 5-10 years without the option for suspended sentence.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

If this guy was a freeter or unemployed person from a poor family, he would have been sentenced 5-10 years without the option for suspended sentence.

I seriously doubt that. But seeing as you are claiming it as fact, please show us numbers specific to freeters or unemployed. All I've seen is numbers for the general population, for which the overwhelming majority of first-offenses receive a suspended sentence.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Heh, interesting that both Educator and I received thumbs down simply for pointing out incorrect statements people have made.

I guess some people care more about railing on regardless of accuracy, over knowing what they are talking about.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Perhaps the thumbs down are because both of you are wrong. Has that idea entered your head? You try using drugs at work, at home, do you really think you would get a suspended sentance? I will concede that jail time served is probably enough. The court decisions are skitso this person gets 5 years but this person gets a suspended sentance. Don't know why as there is no justifiable explanation from the judge, it's a bizarre criminal system, but you can defend it in the face of facts. That's your right. Untill arrested.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Perhaps the thumbs down are because both of you are wrong. Has that idea entered your head?

Well no, it hasn't, because I've actually seen the numbers showing that the overwhelming number of first-time drug offenses result in suspended sentences in Japan. So no, it didn't cross my mind that I was wrong, because I'm entirely confident that I'm not.

You try using drugs at work, at home, do you really think you would get a suspended sentance?

I have no idea - I don't apply generalities to individual cases, as that is illogical.

Once again, it was claimed this guy received a suspended sentence through special treatment due to being a bureaucrat, which I pointed out was incorrect. Others have tried to question that, but no one has provided anything whatsoever to show that their claims are correct. No one has shown bureaucrats get special treatment. No one has shown foreigners get treatment different from the general population. Just a bunch of posts parroting the same things foreigners always say here - which they didn't support that time either.

It ends up an echo-chamber of people repeating claims so many times they believe them as fact even when the actual facts are in complete opposition to the claim.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Ok, have a nice day.

not trying to offend you,

you have your opinion I have mine.

Life is crazy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Cricky, “it's a bizarre criminal system, but you can defend it in the face of facts. That's your right. Untill arrested.”

Neither Strangerland nor I have “defended the bizarre criminal system” here. We have merely pointed out that the fact that for a simple first time drug use or possession offense case in Japan the vast majority end in a suspended sentence. I’m not talking about cases involving manufacture or dealing of drugs, violence, resisting arrest, or other such factors. Anecdotes about individual cases are not particularly relevant, note that we both said the majority of cases receive suspended sentences, neither of us has claimed that is the result in every case.

“you have your opinion I have mine.”

It’s not an opinion, it’s a fact.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

StrangerlandToday  10:58 am JST

“Heh, interesting that both Educator and I received thumbs down simply for pointing out incorrect statements people have made.

I guess some people care more about railing on regardless of accuracy, over knowing what they are talking about.”

Yes, it’s almost amusing except that those inaccurate comments are going to be read by others who don’t research before they in turn repeat them in a never ending haze of fake.

Anyway, carry on!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I'm backing out the two of you are obviously correct and the down votes are just a mass Miss informed group. Might be that I and those who down voted you who have been living in Japan for decades just don't understand as you do. Perhaps in another decade we can all agree.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Cricky, “Might be that I and those who down voted you who have been living in Japan for decades just don't understand as you do.”

Wording unclear there. Do you mean Strangerland and I have lived in Japan decades? (I’ve been here more than four decades.) Or did you mean you’ve been here decades? In any case, I think the more relevant factor is the ability and willingness to observe, question, research, and comprehend.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Scrote pointed out that he lost his job. This is very true. He was probably fired well before the verdict.

The judge will have been aware of this, that this guy has lost his elite status forever, now having a criminal record, which will probably bar him from anything but menial labor for life in Japan’s traditional environment. This stigma and lack of status and income will also impact his family.

The actual sentence is almost an afterthought compared with the above.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@Strangerland-because I've actually seen the numbers showing that the overwhelming number of first-time drug offenses result in suspended sentences in Japan.

Oh really, show us that number to us here then.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Strangerland: "Too bad for your one friend. How does that change the fact that the overwhelming majority of first time drug offenders in japan result in a suspended sentence?"

So, you follow the cases of the average Taros that no one here's about? Where are your stats to back up your claims? What's more, the guy was clearly a HABITUAL user, meaning it was not a one time deal (and he was caught with more than one drug). Minimum sentencing is usually five years, as stated in the law, for possession. You have repeated this tired old line time and again when suspended sentences have been given to athlètes, celebrities, and politicians or police, but have never ONCE backed it up.

"Illegal Drugs: Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs, including marijuana, are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and fines. In most drug cases, suspects are detained and barred from receiving visitors or corresponding with anyone"

And of course, people who have been convicted of drug charges (ie. possessing a single joint in the 60s) are barred entry from Japan, like Paul McCartney was, before they decided his concerts could earn Japan heaps of money (hence, celebrity being let off again). Paris Hilton was also denied entry. No loss there, really.

Finally, what I'd like to know is how a "stimulant" helps you deal with stress. I can understand the weed for such a situation, or depressants, but stimulants? Sounds like takign a stimulant because you drank too much coffee and your nerves are fried.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"the defendant has realized the enormous social impact"

There was zero social impact except that which nosy idiots chose to invent. Government, get out of my body, my veins and my business. I can drive a car until I cause problems. I can walk free until I cause problems. I can buy knives until I cause problems. So why can't I do drugs until I cause problems? Is my body the property of the damn government? Are we slaves?

Until I hear that his drug caused an actual problem, any government involvement is too much. The government, courts and police all need a kick in the pants.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Norman, two drugs are mentioned.

Japan’s prisons struggle to deal with hallucinating ex-methamphetamine users.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan’s prisons struggle to deal with hallucinating ex-methamphetamine users.

In a free country people do drugs smarter and do smarter drugs. Most total bans on anything are stupid if you are a good person, and profitable if you are an evil person.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Those who are prosecuted under Marijuana posession law, 84.6% receive suspended sentence. What's more interesting is that only 51.6% are prosecuted.

http://hakusyo1.moj.go.jp/jp/64/nfm/n64_2_2_3_2_1.html

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Average gaijin here. Got arrested for drugs. Received suspended sentence but had to wait in jail for 3 months before court was finished. Met about 30 inmates also getting suspended sentence for first offense. My lawyer, the us embassy and the cops all told me 99% of first offenders get a suspended sentence.

Anyone telling you that you go to prison for using drugs on your first offense in japan is full of it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'm backing out the two of you are obviously correct and the down votes are just a mass Miss informed group.

Down votes have nothing to do with accuracy. I've made posts that only contained a statement of undeniable fact, with no emotion or opinion whatsoever, and been down-voted for it. People down vote for whatever reason they want.

So, you follow the cases of the average Taros that no one here's about?

No, I don't follow the cases of average Taros. I simply looked at the numbers.

Where are your stats to back up your claims?

I haven't made the claims. I pointed out how other's claims that this guy got special treatment due to being a bureaucrat were incorrect. It's up to the person who makes a claim to support it, I'm not going to do their work.

But since Nigelboy already did the work... http://hakusyo1.moj.go.jp/jp/64/nfm/n64_2_2_3_2_1.html

You have repeated this tired old line time and again when suspended sentences have been given to athlètes, celebrities, and politicians or police, but have never ONCE backed it up.

Nope. I've pointed out other's incorrect claims when they are made. If someone were to support their assertion, I couldn't claim it was wrong, could I.

You try to criticize me for not backing up my pointing out someone incorrectly, while not criticizing those who would make unjustified claims - something you yourself have been guilty of many, many times.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Strangerland, “Down votes have nothing to do with accuracy. I've made posts that only contained a statement of undeniable fact, with no emotion or opinion whatsoever, and been down-voted for it. People down vote for whatever reason they want.”

Exactly. Ive has the same experience countless times. I would also add that an up or down vote isn’t even proof that the voter actually even read the comment. For all we know, there might be people who have a habit of scrolling through looking only at the names of the posters and voting up or down based only on whether they like the name. Pronouncing a the contents of a comment valid or not depending on how many up or down votes it received is the height of absurdity.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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