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© 2011 AFPJapanese woman sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug smuggling
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nath
Instead of killing her, make a Prison Nurse for life.
Acjama
A victim, right... So, it was "souteigai" that a strange man giving a bag for transport would be suspicious? Is there a school for lousy excuses in Japan? The gross underestimation of human intelligence is so rampart these days.
papigiulio
no idea why japangal got thumbed down, think its actually a pretty good deal. Anyway either the nurse is supernaive like some Japanese or she did it, either way she is finished.
bentheredonthat
i'm all for the death penalty but for smuggling drugs? what?!?! a big "maybe" if she was a dealer, but still, you're only supplying a product that people want.
techall
Unfortunately for Ms. Yakeuchi, this is the kind of case Malaysia will push. If you hang a Malaysian for drug trafficking, it never makes the news outside of Malaysia, hang a Japanese woman and the whole world hears about it and Malaysia gets their point across about not bringing drugs into Malaysia. Nothing like being made an example of when it costs you your life.
nath
Wow, will JP gov. get involved or will they just ignore her situation? What is the opinon of the JP gov. on this? Any word on that, JT?
If it was a US citizen, The US would probably send a Clinton. I didnt think that she would get death.
nath
The woman for sure is finished. Have not seen anything on TV news yet about it.
HumanTarget
It'll be interesting to see how the Japanese public reacts to this. I'm predicting nonstop, 24-hour news coverage and mass condemnation of the decision.
nath
Then you would only have medical professionals smuggling.
You mean money, right?
Sad but she knew the risks, she had been to Malaysia countless times, mainly doing the Dubai, Malaysia, Narita flight. She is paying with her life for some one to get stoned, the world is messed up.
tokyokawasaki
Sentencing someone to death is morally wrong on so many levels. Barbaric...
kaketama
A crime committed in a country should be punished in the country by following their law. This case happend in Malaysia and this verdict seems to follow the Malaysian law, so if there are not any flaws in the cout, the Japanese government need not involve in the case.
tmarie
Tokyo, indeed I can agree with you but transporting drugs that are known to kill people is also barbaric. How many deaths could the drugs she smuggled have caused? Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. A nurse isn't a bad paying job. Seems someone got greedy and sadly may end up paying with her life.
Piltdown Man
If she is a nurse then the thought of her not having some inkling of what she was carrying seems a tad implausible. That said, if Malaysian law stipulates that a judge/jury may render a guilty verdict only after guilt has proven 'beyond a shadow of doubt,' then her story is plausible enough that she should be set free.
However, I'm not sure if the Japanese government has much of a track record of going to bat for its citizens that find themselves in trouble abroad. I think they have more of a 'you're on your own' mentality in most cases. The bureaucrats see it as too 'mendokusai'.
chuckbello
Let's the real bargaining start. The Japanese government should use all its might to commute this sentence to life.
theeastisred
There is never any justification for the death penalty under any circumstances. But she should not be treated any differently just because she is a foreigner.
combinibento
I agree. If Malaysia has any respect for its own (twisted, in my opinion) laws, it will hold firm on what "mandatory death sentence" means and execute this woman. There are many Malays executed each year for less serious drug offenses than this woman's, so she should not be treated differently simply because she is a citizen of a richer nation.
theeastisred
Any significance in the Liverpool Football Club sweatshirt? "You'll never walk alone"?
NetNinja
This woman deserves it. She brought drugs into Malaysia. She thinks cause she's Japanese she'll get off.
She also thought because she's a woman they'll go easy on her.
I applaud Malaysia for their decision. I hope they carry out their sentences swiftly just like China did.
smithinjapan
She is guilty, bottom line, if for nothing else than utter stupidity. She either knew what she was doing or she is a moron (no in-between). She doesn't deserve death for it, but those are Malaysian laws. Hopefully the J-government can do something to commute the sentence to life in a Malay prison or something, but given that Japan also has the death penalty there's not much they can say on the issue in terms of it being wrong.
rainman1
I don't agree with the death penalty - but she only has herself to blame. Its even printed on the immigration card when you enter Malaysia. Do the crime, do the time. Chances are it will commuted to life anyway.
nandakandamanda
I bet she did not do this for profit, but to pay someone off. Possibly a loan shark, or possibly Y someone with a scar on their face.
Whoever is behind her will have cut her loose and found someone else.
アメリ フセイン
This is just wrong. Some countries at totally backwards.
Elbuda Mexicano
Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! Sorry amigos, I KNOW DRUGS ARE EVIL, this stupid woman, nurse?? Japanese?? Yeah what ever, time to let her face the music, Malaysian Muslim style. Imagine how safer the USA would be if all the scum drug dealers, suppliers, users faces the same lovely death penalty as they do in more civilized countries like MALAYSIA, we would not have all the scummy gang members, hoods, hanging around selling drugs on every corner of the USA, no drive by shootings etc..I have been to Malaysia, very clean and safe country, I lived in both Mexico and the USA both are screwed by DRUGS and violence. LET this evil woman hang, hang, hang! So proud of Malaysia, they do understand what is the correct thing to do with scum. Mexico?? Heck no! We do not even have the death penalty! The USA is way too lax on drugs, Japan?? Better to start learning from older Asian civilizations ASAP. IMHO.
T_rexmaxytime
It's zen. You can't get rid of evil by trying to kill off evil because you become the evil by killing an evil. Only way to change evil is to hug them with love till they change. You can only change evil by love. Quote by Me and Onisaburo.
Elbuda Mexicano
NetNinja, you and I seem to be the only death penalty supporters here, I may be wrong, anyway, let this stupid woman hang, be a good example to other fools who want to smuggle drugs.
Foxie
I don't support death penalty but those are the laws of Malaysia and I fully respect that. If you don't want the death penalty, then don't smuggle drugs, it is as easy as that.
Spidapig24
アメリ フセイン
Backwards hey, would you describe Japan as backwards afterall they have the death penalty too, maybe the US as well. There is one really easy way to avoid the death penalty in these terrible backward countries, the secret is do not break the laws it really is that simple. Everyone knows Malaysia has a death penalty for drug smuggling yet she chose to risk it now she must pay the penalty. Backward? Maybe but its their country and their laws who are we non Malaysians to critisise that.
combinibento
Not really. There is a big difference between "having the death penalty" and "having a mandatory death penalty for drug offenses." At least Japan and the US limit capital punishment for murder and treason. Personally I am against capital punishment but at least I can comprehend why a country would have it -- when limited to crimes that have actually caused a victim's death. But carrying a (subsequently confiscated) meth-filled Samsonite into an airport? Yeah, that's pretty backwards.
Nessie
3.5 kg of hard drugs is hard to explain away on appeal
soldave
Whatever you think of the death penalty and its rights or wrongs, Malaysia has it for drugs offences. She got caught either through stupidity or willingly and has to face the consequences. And before anyone says, "What if you did something like that and got caught?", then I'd almost certainly accept that I'd messed up bigtime.
If you aren't prepared to accept the consequences if caught, you shouldn't do the crime.
anglootaku
It has the yakuza operation, written all over it..
anglootaku
Though I am curious if there is the death penalty in Japan for drug distribution also?
luilui
appeal appeal. i dont agree with the death penalty, but it's been in malaysia for decades unfortunately. plus hanging is so inhumane. if they must, why not injections? IMO death is way too harsh for such a crime (if she really did do it).
tkoind2
Way to show your barbarism Malaysia. I guess the "Malaysia, truly Asia" Commercials will now feature death sentences.
Whether the girl is guilty or not, killing a person over this is pure barbarism. Pathetic, evil, morally unforgivable.
mrsynik
Sorry, but if you're stupid enough to do this in countries where the penalties are well known to be at the end of a rope then you deserve everything you get for your own stupidity.
kurisupisu
I don't know any Japanese that run the route of Narita-Malaysia-Dubai.
She was not a 'usual' tourist and that was the reason for the search.
She had done the route so much as to arouse suspicion.
Is she guilty?
It seems she is.
Did she know the penalty?
It seems she does...
kaketama
anglootaku
In Japan, a sentence for drug distribution depends on a case. What amount of drug is carried and how many times did the criminal repeat? But the capital punishment is almost never applied, at most indefinite prison term . A punishment for drug abuse is relatively soft in Japan compared to other countries.
kurisupisu
It seems that Takeuchi flew 6 times to Dubai from Nariata on business class within a month.
How did an ex nurse find the money to do that ?
Why 6 times within a month?
This is very unusual behaviour.......
Cricky
700 on death row, so it's not a deterrent. If it's not a deterrent what is point besides revenge? Revenge for stupidity? Murder, state sponsored murder. Seems the war on Drugs has more life in it yet, one of the biggest failed policies undertaken this century. Prohibition failed as will a health issue treated as a criminal issue.
RomeoR
Bravo, Malaysia. You are ridding this planet of one more mistake of nature.
RR
Foxie
kurisupisu, agree that the route was a bit strange. Plus, going to Dubai as a Japanese woman of her age, you would think they would stack their suitcases full with designer bags, clothes and gold leaving hardly any space for another 3.5kg of some drugs.
anglootaku
kaketama thanks though I would think it would be just as severe for their sentence, all Asian countries have the strictest law, Australian Bali 9, Shappelle Corby and co also wound up in jail in Indonesia , their leaders apparently got the death sentence in Singapore
johninnaha
I'm amazed at some people can formulate such strong opinions based on the few lines in an article like this.
Does anyone KNOW that she was lying when she said that she was duped into carrying this package?
Does anyone KNOW that she was not?
techall
@johninnaha:
I guess you have not read any of the other news articles which have run in JT about this case, there have been a few. Anyway check the archives and get back with us.
nandakandamanda
She probably refused to finger the person who was moving her. This would be frustrating for the authorities, who may have been looking for a plea bargain or something, anything to get her off.
Perhaps she is more afraid of the consequences of talking than of being hanged. Her silence may even be protecting a loved one in Japan.
What do we know?
xrc
tax and legalize drugs...then we'd have enough for free medical, education and a few who would probably die from using too much...ummm cigarettes & alcohol are O.K. though.....duped or a good pay off?
techall
@Patrick Smash
No one who thinks this decision is barbaric and evil should ever visit Malaysia as a tourist.
If that's your whole criteria for visiting a country as a tourist, besides missing the oldest rain forest in the world, some of the most beautiful beaches and dive spots on the planet (Malaysia) you can also foprget ever seeing the Pyramids, the Great Wall, the Taj Mahal, Bali Island, and Sentosa Island in Singapore. OR, on the other hand you can see these places but don't bring your drugs with you.
Goals0
It was on the Mainichi News - Nsuta - at about 6.05.
The story goes back a couple of years now.
She's obviously guilty and had brought stuff in before.
Apparently the Japanese police also had her marked.
But death sentence for it seems harsh.
The bigshots never get caught.
okimike67
Again Johninnaha; get REAL!! Who in their right mind, especially a supposed professional (nurse) would tak a 3.5 kg package from a stranger and NOT ASK WHAT IT WAS!!!! But I am betting, based on your comments, that you would. Have some "friends" that need some packages carried, want to go to Maylasia;)
There was SOMETHING in the deal for her, bottom line. Though I totally agree that she got the short end of the stick (no pun intended).
You want to use drugs, do it at home! AND DONT bring KILOs of the stuff to countries that execute for the crime. Personally agree with the death penalty in general. This may be a bit harsh but it is their law. If you dont like it dont go OR dont bring drugs. Is it really that difficult?
CrazyJoe
What Takeuchi didn't know was that Malaysia customs held a special inspection period between Oct 29 to Nov 1 2010. (This was unannounced to the press.) She came to Malaysia on Oct 30. She had previously travelled to Malaysia several times from Dubai. She probably thought it was going to be an easy one again but not this time. She deserves her punishment. She was charged for violating Section 39B Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 . (Malaysia)
okimike67
Simple as that CrazyJoe, well said!
miyazawa3
she is Japanese, she is innocent.. I am sorry of her fate.
Elbuda Mexicano
Let all these drug mules hang!! Sayonara baby!!
j4p4nFTW
I don't this is on par with Malaysia declaring war on Japan, but I do urge the Malaysians to reconsider this decision. Japan has been a staunch ally of Malaysia. In addition to helping free Malaysia from the yoke of colonial servitude, we have given generous aid to help Malaysia build economically. Although Malaysia made the mistake of joining the Muslim Bloc, it is still an ally and thousands of jobs are provided by Japanese firms. It would be a shame to see those firms no longer able to provide those jobs.
nath
Why does everyone assume that she knew she was carrying drugs? Isn't it possible that her story was true and she carried a bag for someone else thinking she was doing them a favour? Even if she did know, she was probably just a courier and the penalty is too harsh - it's the person she was carrying the drugs for that deserves the harshest penalty. That person probably walked away without suspicion - or wasn't even on the flight.
okimike67
And who are you, j4p4nFTW, to call for reconsideration??? It is their law and she broke it. It is not like Japan with selective "extra" tough penalties on foriegniers and lax on the natives, plenty of them get hanged as well.
And as for saying they made a MISTAKE for being part of the Muslim Bloc... really are you going there? While not Muslim myself I believe that a country should be allowed to, within reason, be free to have their religious preference. Just because you may not believe their beliefs does not make them a mistake. The ONLY MISTAKES in this story are that she brough drugs into Maylasia and that anyone thinks they have the right to demand a lessor sentence for her because she is from Japan and they help (or helped) Maylasia financially.
unreconstructed
Barbaric. Malaysia is off my list. I knew Indonesia was medieval on this matter but I thought Malaysia was a bit more lenient.
Spidapig24
j4p4nFTW
Ok l'll bite.
Oh so a Japanese person breaks a law in a foreign country and gets caught and sentenced and you say its like declaring war on Japan. Seriously! Grow up. She broke the law in a foreign country and now has to pay the price, but on your theory every time Japan arrests and prosecutes a foreigner they are declaring war on that country. I think not. You are only complaining because she's Japanese. Well stiff she broke the law she swings end of story.
Oh thats right your rightous war that freed all Asian countries from their colonial oppressors only to replace them with Japanese oppressors. Never in my life have l read such tripe. Will you urge Japan to release all US or Uk or Australians held in Japanese jails after all without these countries Japan would still be the backward warmongering culture it was in the 30's and 40's so maybe you should petition for the Japanese officials to release anyone from these countries.
j4p4nFTW
Spidapig24,
No! I said the opposite! Read my comment again, I was saying it's not like that. You and I basically agree here.
j4p4nFTW
@okimike,
Thank you for your opinions and considerations. I think we actually agree here.
I didn't say that their beliefs are a mistake. I said it was a mistake to join the Bloc. The two are very separate things.
sojherde
Of course if you are in Malaysia you will be dealt with according to Malaysian law, what else could you expect? I am not sure,however, if we really know the nearer circumstances of this lady. If her guilt is proven,nobody can help her,except God. Yet if the circumstances should be not so clear as it seems, capital punishment would be wrong, because nobody can revive a person who was executed. So the only plea I could make to the Malaysian court is, to look carefully into the matter and find the appropriate judgement.
j4p4nFTW
@Spidapig24
Thank you again for your comments and considerations. It is important to have discussions on various issues so that we may reach an understanding.
In my original comment I forgot the word "think" in the first sentence. It should read, "I don't think this is on par with..."
I offer my sincerest and deepest apologies for the error. I am reflecting on the cause of this error and the resulting confusion which it unfortunately caused on this internet forum intended for communication. I will soon design and implement a program that will hopefully prevent such errors from happening again.
Thank you for your understanding
Spidapig24
j4p4nFTW
Sorry you are right l misread the first part apologies
Jannetto
As has been pointed out, the arrival card (of which she must have seen a fair few) for Malaysia (and Singapore) points out very clearly that the penalty for drug crimes is DEATH- oh wait, is she going to say she didn't know cos she can't read English? That's OK then. Cough... Of course they were watching her, flying this odd route so often. You might roll your eyes but believe it when a wide-eyed 19 year old gap year backpacker gets fooled into taking a box of chocolates to someone's Malay granny, but an educated 36 year old with THREE AND A HALF KILOS? Give me a break. Whatever you think of their laws, they will stick to them. Unless of course they owe Japan a ton of money....
okimike67
j4, you may have found something in my post to agree with but I feel that we are far from being on the same wave length. Thank you for the civil discourse though, thumb up for that.
Quite simply, she should pay for breaking the law of the country she entered into with drugs. Nothing more or less. AND no special favors should be asked or bargined for because she is from Japan.
sojherde, the nearer circumstances are that she had 3.5 KILO's of Meth. Need more be said? as for proven, she had 3.5 KILO's of Meth on her. Need more be said?
Samantha Zoe Aso
I agree the death sentence is barbaric but on the other hand, it is there to serve as a deterent. Drugs cause anguish and death the world over. Its a huge problem that is escalating worldwide. I dont know the ins and outs of this case< is she a Brokedown Palace victim or did she knowingly transport drugs, I just dont know. However when you travel to a country that has zero tolerance regarding drugs and openly throws the death penalty at people who are found to have broken that law, its more than common sense to make sure you don`t get into this kind of situation.
I feel for her family.
Christina O'Neill
Drug traffickers and pushers fill me with contempt and revulsion, the availbility of these drugs are in most cases the instigators of both major and petty crime. Families are destroyed by them,their children suffer because of them.and innocents become the targets of the users in their endeavour to feed their habit. I will not however condone a death sentence in retaliation. Life in prison without parole is a more fitting punishment, where the perpertrators can spend what remains of their lives looking at 4 concrete walls and perhaps contemplate the harm that their activities are responsible for
Mirai Hayashi
she's old enough to have known better
the_sicilian
For those that don't realize it, this woman has been flying this route for quite some time, has had the Japanese police watching here, and the Malaysians were on to her as well.
And over 7 pounds in your suitcase and you don't know it's there? Take a gallon jug of water and put that in your suitcase. It is close to 3.8 Kg, so that is the difference. She knew what she was doing.
BurakuminDes
Yes, like you helped "free" all those poor, oppressed Chinese in Manchuria, the poor Burmese, those downtrodden Koreans, the Philipinos etc etc.... it was all to "help" them get rid of those awful Western oppressors. What a load of tripe - your nation invaded them, killed and enslaved tens of thousands of their people, and now you think the Malaysians consider it "freeing" them! Read some textbooks!
Malaysia is a sovereign nation and can join whatever "bloc" they like, stop trying to oppress their freedom of religion - the majority of their people are Islamic. Maybe they think it is a "mistake" Japanese are mucking around with that Shinto and Buddhist stuff? Whilst I don't personally agree with the death penalty for a drug trafficker (like this Japanese woman IS) I - and you - have no right to even suggest interfering in a sovereign nations well-publicised laws. Neither will the Japanese government or people who will respect what legal decisions Malaysia takes.
TakahiroDomingo
is there such a big difference between "drugs" and alcohol? all you need is prohibition, and you'd agree to death sentence a person for selling alcohol? there's something wrong with this drug issue and the death mongers here wanting death sentence so vehemently
YuriOtani
Boycott Malaysia, no more military ties with their country. These people make me sick!
BurakuminDes
Malaysia's principal military ties are with her long-standing allies: Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US. They understandably don't have major military ties with a country that invaded them.
602miko
... law is a law no one's can break it ....
Vernie Jefferies
Wow....Mandatory hanging sentence. If I ever have to travel to Malaysia, I would be afraid to carry my own luggage. I'll buy my clothes there just to be safe.
choiwaruoyaji
Enough is enough!
Just legalize drugs, world.
Anything else is ridiculous.
Anti drugs mentality has been forced on the world by right wing American Christian nutters and American big business.
yourock
nothing wrong here, drugs are dangerous and ruin society. death sets an example to others NOT to do likewise, whether you like it or not. well done Malaysia.
Juan Carlos Barbosa Padilla
Hope all narcos in Mexico could share the same destiny as that woman in Malasia, unfortunately in Mexico there are not enough tools to make sure that someone is guilty and input the death row in our country could not be the best solution. Even that I am with the people that want the drugs to be legalized in USA (so in Mexico can be legalized too), I am agree with the death penalty of that woman, based in the fact that she broke the laws of that country, so she must be penalized according to that law...
Spidapig24
Yuriotani,
So you don't like Malaysian law and you think the country is made up of thugs and murderers hey. Whats that make Japan then a country of drug mules? So would you support lesser sentences for us servicemen who commit crimes?no but you expect a Japanese to get a lesser sentence just for being Japanese. There is a word for that Yuriotani it starts in r and endbs in ism.
BurakuminDes
They were Aussies as you may know, mate. As a kid I remember the whole controversy, these two career criminals and drug dealers from Perth were portrayed in our media as innocent victims. It was, of course, complete nonsense. The Aussie Labor government of the time did it's utmost to get Malaysia to relent and commute the sentences to life. Ridiculous plans were even considered to use our SAS to break them out. It has since been proven that Barlow and Chambers - just like this woman - were repeat drug runners.
As I said - I don't support the death penalty for drug offences - but we have no right to interfere in other nations legal systems. Should other countries be allowed to interfere in Japan or Australia's legal system because they disagree with their laws? You are certainly within your right to boycott their goods however.
globalwatcher
Malaysia has been well known for this and is not afraid to execute a death sentence over drug smugglers.
anglootaku
Escape! Prison Break!
honey
Certainly her actions were very foolish,However,Death is an undeserving punishment.Muslims should be ashamed of their behavior also.Will never go to that country or any other Muslim Country.Barbaric,Cruel,and Inhumane.Shame on you Malaysia!
futurebeast
The death penalty is way overboard for this type of offense. People who support this verdict by attesting that people should respect the laws of other countries do not value the sanctity of human life over the law. I find that to be morally inadequate.
Elbuda Mexicano
All of the fools here supporting drugs, supporting this Japanese woman to be a drug mule, have never had a brother, a cousin, an uncle etc..be hooked on drugs, die from an over dose, as I have. One of my cousins was a drug dealer in Mexico, easy money, by poisoning the young people with cocaine, etc..so sad to see young people ruin their lives with drugs, in the end this cousin had his brains smashed in by other Mexican mafia members, just another day in the life of drug dealers, and we have NO DEATH PENALTY IN MEXICO, but we have these druggies killing each other night and day, so when I visited Malaysia it was like a breath of fresh air! Very clean and safe country, no need for Euro trash etc..like over in Thailand, full moon drug parties etc.No, Malaysia may seem boring, but very clean and very safe! I hope no body is offended by my anti drugs rants.
BurakuminDes
Honey - by that reasoning, if you are true to your word and boycott "Muslim countries" like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore etc, you should also boycott all those "Buddhist countries" too, because some of them execute drug runners. Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and China are just a few you may care to boycott. Those Buddhists are very barbaric.
Jasen Durant
I wonder where the drugs originate from. She got them in Dubai but were they made there or were they smugled into Dubai from another location. I would like the makers of these drugs get hanged as well. I hear that she was traveling in business class. If this is true, how could she afford it on a nurse's salary. She was either making good money drug trafficking or someone in the business paid her ticket. I don't believe she didn't know what was in the bag.
whiskeysour
how much money did she get from ( being a mule ) doing this ? I guess it wasn't enough
kurisupisu
Yes Malaysia does not have much of a drug problem that I could see either. Coming into Japan it is always the foreigners that get waylaid for the search-that is something that I have been through a lot. Would I bring drugs into Japan -no way!
I know the rules and if not obeyed then there are consequences
Takeuchi didn't know that?
lordmanji
Hmmm one person dies because of her criminal actions or an untold number of people and their families hurt from effects of meth use...hang the drug mule!
sqwak
I remember coming across this in a newspaper in Malaysia some years ago.
A senior law enforcement officer in an interview, once said that the death penalty was needed as a deterrent because drug dealers bring death and destruction to not only one life, but many lives (drug addicts), therefore they have to be discouraged from bringing drugs into the country.
In the above case, Imagine how many lives this 3.5 kg of drug could have potentially destroy if it had been unloaded onto the streets. This is what the law enforcement agencies would not want to see happen.
But yet, many greedy drug dealers and smugglers do not care for the laws of Malaysia. So when caught, and the death penalty is passed on them, they have no one to blame but themselves.
I personally do not see this death penalty as barbaric. Drug dealers are the barbarians, they are mass killers.
TigermothII
Some of the responses on this article are a prime reason that I would argue that in the judicial system of any nation they should have professional juries rather than judged by one's fellow citizenry. Some of you write 'if she's guilty'. If she's guilty?? You have to have some modicum of intelligence to be a nurse. She isn't elderly or delusional. She made multiple flights on the same known drug route, was caught with the goods on her person - doesn't even deny taking a 'package' but lamely states that she 'didn't know what was in it' and some of you still wonder if she's guilty? I've only flown in the US and Europe, but in both places I saw signs stating to keep your eye on your own bags and do not accept packages from anyone. And you're asked this at that check in. Death penalty aside, if her guilt is still a mystery to you then I hope you never get jury duty.
notasap
Boy this will surely stop the use of drugs, just like all the other death sentences handed down did. What I don’t get is not whether or not she is actually guilty, something that I don’t think has been proven, but rather why such draconian sentences? It doesn’t seem to be an effective deterrent and it only serves to make Malaysia look barbaric. The very same could be said to the US in how it uses capital punishment in its justice system. I’m not against capital punishment but if life is so precious, which I think it is, then let’s not waste the ultimate sentence on crime that does not deserve of the “lesson” that such a sentence is supposed to communicate to the society at large. I feel for this poor woman, to be in a foreign justice system is scary enough but to be in one that has so routinely been found to be wanting when it sets and carries out the ultimate sentence, death, has to be absolutely horrifying. To those that seem to be able to toss aside a life because the crime involved drugs, please rethink why you don’t like drugs. If it is because you feel drugs destroy lives then you need to proceed with caution in supporting a justice system and a sentence that destroys lives.
Cho88
I disagree with the death penalty, as a rule. If she was genuinely duped, I would feel very sorry for her.
However, drugs ruin lives and fuel wars. That in Malaysia drug-smuggling is punished by the death penalty is well-known; at the very least, I am pretty sure there would be mentions of it in the airport! I have to admire Malaysia's tough stance towards the subject. Finally... it's just genuinely hard to believe that anybody would really agree to transport a suitcase for anyone else in this day and age. Though it is never right to pass judgment before the trial, it seems as though she knew what she was doing, and it has gone horribly wrong...
globalwatcher
If you are planning to go to South East Asia, please check websites listed below to educate yourself.
They may not apply to you, but these are wonderful FYI.
noriyosan73
If the smugglers and dealers were executed on the spot and the users were provided counseling and jobs, there would be no drug problems. It is always easy to call the execution nothing more than barbarism UNTIL it is your child who is addicted or dead from infections or crime caused by a drug dealer.
sfjp330
People make mistakes by greed. Sure, she broke the law. she was caught carrying 3.5 kilos that is worth around $200K on the streets. In most western countries, the sentence ranges from 5-10 years, depending on any prior conviction. She needs to serve time in jail, but a death penalty for probably a first time offense? Malaysian law is primitive by other countries standards.
octopussy
I'm a little afraid to go to Malaysia. What if they just randomly decide to plant some evidence on me? Next vacation will be to Thailand.
spudman
She had done this series of flights six previous times. Not a first offense.
sfjp330
spudman Oct. 26, 2011 - 05:46AM JST. She had done this series of flights six previous times. Not a first offense.
Not the first offense? Offense means prior conviction and how many conviction did she have? She can take many flights as she wants and are not considered offense, but a suspecion. Point is, is this the first time she was caught?
spudman
No, offense means the illegal act, the act of a crime does not depend on a conviction. The sentence depends on conviction.
Yes indeed first and last time she was caught. Most definitely not the first time she was a drug mule.
アメリ フセイン
@Elbuda Mexicano If you legalize drugs, the smugglers and drug gangs will go away. Legalize it and tax it. Indviduals should be the final authority on what goes into their bodies.
YuriOtani
If she is executed Japan need to punish them somehow. I favor trade tariffs of 200% and not allowing Japanese companies from having factories there. Move them out of country like to the Phillipe Islands.
Mirai Hayashi
Malaysia has a very strict zero tolerance policy against drugs. Whether you agree with it or not, you've got to respect it or suffer the consequences
Nicky Washida
I cant believe some people are still suggesting she may be innocent, to be honest.
She has already admitted she was given the package by someone - not that she was set up by the authorities.
She has flown business class several times between Narita and Dubai via Malaysia. Why? She said she was trying to get money for a friend from her friends ex boyfriend in Dubai, a guy named "Alex". She didnt know his last name.
If her friend has enough money to pay for her to fly business class several times to help her get this money, this doesnt sound like the kind of person to me who needs to take the trouble of getting back the owed money in the first place.
She was told the package was "books" and was given a cell number to call in Malaysia. Nothing more. And this didnt arouse any suspicion in a supposedly intelligent professional who knows all about the risks of carrying bags for other people (a seasoned traveller as she is) AND the drug rules in Malaysia (having been there many times)?
And if she was so completely innocent and thought it really was books she was carrying - why didnt she declare that she was carrying them for someone else at check-in when they ask that very question?
I dont necessarily agree with the death penalty either, but in this case she clearly wasnt set up, knew what she was doing and knew the risks involved. If you cant do the time, dont do the crime. She got caught, period. I have no sympathy for her.
I agree with that these countries are corrupt, skim off some profit and let some major players go through, but I think that is a separate issue here. The issue here is: is she innocent or guilty. I think it is pretty obvious myself.
Tamarama
Why? This woman broke a law that has a very clearly defined consequence to it. That has nothing to do with her nationality - if she were, say, Somalian would you care so much?
Anyone who has been about the global block a few times knows very clearly that you do not tempt fate in countries like Malaysia who take a very dim view of drugs and have very harsh punishments for that. They have every right to govern their country the way they want in cases like this, and as a guest to the country it is you RESPONSIBILITY to observe the law of the land. Don't confuse your rights as being more important thatn your responsibilities. Pleading ignorance is just an embarrasement, especially for a person who comes from a country that already has very strict laws concerning drugs. And all of this is no reason not to go there, or boycott these amazing places, it just means you pull your head out of you a** and tow the line whilst you are there. Why is that so hard?
Kevin Lee Brooke
Whether you are for the death penalty or against it; whether you are for the legalization of drugs or against it; whether you are for the decriminalization of drugs or against it; the point is moot.
In Malaysia, drug smuggling carries the death penalty. Period. It is well know worldwide. You don't piss in someone else's front yard and expect to get away with it.
My house, my rules.
YuriOtani
My other post was deleted, what I wanted to say is there is three levels of law. One for Muslims, one for Christians and another for the rest. I would not be surprised if this was all a setup by the government, so they could hang a Japanese citizen. I do not trust Malaysia and think they are among the most corrupt governments on Earth.
tmarie
Honey - by that reasoning, if you are true to your word and boycott "Muslim countries" like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore
Since when is Singapore Muslim??? Last I checked it was run by the Chinese who aren't!! They do have the death penalty for drugs but it isn't a Muslim thing. Look at China and the US for examples!
kurisupisu
So if I were to import drugs into Japan my government should punish Japan for that?
Malaysia has laws and penalties-it is not hard to figure out is it?
TakahiroDomingo
my comment concerns this article on drugs and the death sentence: is there such a big difference between "drugs" and alcohol? all you need is prohibition, and you'd agree to death sentence a person for selling alcohol? there's something wrong with this drug issue and the death mongers here wanting death sentence so vehemently
Moderator: Alcohol is not relevant to this discussion.
Elbuda Mexicano
Hey China hung 5 Japanese drug mules last year why all the fuss about only 1 in Malaysia?? Let her hang ASAP!! Japan should thank Malaysia for helping get rid of bad bad drug dealers but also continue with all the yakuza scum here in Japan too.
sfjp330
spudmanOct. 26, 2011 - 07:29AM JST. No, offense means the illegal act, the act of a crime does not depend on a conviction. The sentence depends on conviction. Most definitely not the first time she was a drug mule.
Where is your evidence on "illegal act" from six prior flights?
jforce
Meth is a horrible drug. This is the kind of drug that fuels addiction beyond anything since it's cheap and highly effective for the user. Malaysia is not a 3rd world country but they do have tough laws on the worst kind of crimes. Something is awful here and it's the drugs. Those of you that boycott travel to Malaysia, that is your right. Your feeling on the death penalty are also your right. This person is the worst kind of criminal and the product she was muling into that country would surely ruin countless lives. Now death by hanging, I will agree is barbaric, but effective none the less.
Greapper1
They should give her a medal "World's stupidest nurse"
sfjp330
It's always possible that Malaysian police forc planted evidence to convict her. You have 700 people on death row in Malaysia. How many really got fair trial?
Briton sentenced to death for drug trafficking is freed by Malaysian court after eight years in jail. In 2008, Chan King Yu , a British national was release from jail in Malaysia. The country's highest court overturned his death sentence for drug trafficking A British national sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Malaysia has been freed after the country's highest court found police fabricated evidence against him. A three-judge panel at the Federal Court of Appeal released Chan King Yu, who was arrested eight years ago after police claimed to have found 9kg of methamphetamines in his Kuala Lumpur hotel room. Mr Chan is from Hong Kong and holds a British passport.
He was sentenced to death by the High Court in 2002 after his arrest during a business trip. He has always maintained his innocence. Judge Yusoff told the court: 'I'm of the view ... there is a clear fabrication of evidence.' Mr Chan's lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, argued that police framed his client by breaking into his room and planting three cylinders containing the drug. The court ruled Mr Chan should be acquitted as it was unclear whether he knew the methamphetamines were in his room.
The judges also said previous court decisions failed to take into account discrepancies in witness testimony. They said unlawful hearsay should not have been allowed as evidence. After the acquittal, police refused to comment. The court found Malaysian police had fabricated evidence
Mr Chan's lawyer called for a review of the death penalty, which is mandatory for drug trafficking in Malaysia, saying: 'You know we can easily make a mistake.' Legal campaign group Reprieve, which worked on the case, welcomed the decision. It's truly unbelievable that he should spend six years on death row for such heinous police misconduct.
'That we see misconduct and mistakes in countries around the world, from Malaysia to the USA, shows that as long as there is potential for human error in a legal system, we will continue to see miscarriages of justice like that suffered by Chan.'To have ended capital punishment in the UK is not enough; unless the death penalty is abolished around the world, it is only a matter of time before we are talking about an innocent Briton being executed.'
Source: en.wikipedia.org/.../Malaysian_lock-up_detainee_abuse_scandal
techall
@Patrick Smash:
I assume you have proof of this?
May I also assume that you do not live in Japan or have ever been there for recreational purposes? There may be someone hanging around the corner from you too.
.
Riffraff
Don't do the crime if you can't do the time... or in this case, do the stretch.....
ReformedBasher
I would write "Seems someone got greedy and thankfully will end up paying with her life"
Bartholomew Harte
It's a sad thing but a lot of people may have been saved just knowing they will take your life for this is something that needs to be done-If the U.S. was serious about drugs They would implement the same penalty,if it saves even one life.
Nicky Washida
Do you seriously think, based on all the evidence and all the reports we have seen, that this might be a set-up and she might be innocent? If so, why? Because she is Japanese??!
I agree Malaysia has a corrupt government, but last time Iooked most of the others didnt seem all that trustworthy either, including Japans.
nandakandamanda
Still thinking that first post by JapaGal is spot on.
Give her a new name and make her work for life in the prison hospital, or better still in the drug addicts and rehabilitation ward, with possibility of reprieve for good behavior/behaviour.
They can even announce in the national papers that they executed her if they want, as long as that law is still on their books.
I agree she sounds like a silly bint, an airhead, but only execute her if you can simultaneously execute the person who sent her.
nandakandamanda
Oops, apologies to JapanGal for dropping the 'n' thereby unintentionally giving her a new name!
Elbuda Mexicano
Look, it is not only Malaysia that kills off scum drug mules, so does China, Singapore, Thailand, and yes even THE PHILIPPINES! I just saw a Japanese news on tv, it was about this woman and it showed all the countries that have executed Japanese and most have been given the death penalty for drug trafficking so if some Japanese are really angry about Malaysia and want to take out all Japanese companies and $$$ from there to the Philippines?? Well, they will also execute you there too, mostly a Catholic country but I guess Filipinos know drugs are bad, so you can also be a teru teru bozu hanging from an old hard rope in Manila too if you take too many drugs through their airports.
ReformedBasher
I would agree that JapanGal has a a good idea but I'm not sure whether I'd trust the "suspect" to the right thing - I could see her doing all kinds of mischief as a nurse. If she was an interior decorator etc, maybe she could be trusted not to use her trade to do the wrong thing.
Perhaps execution is a bit harsh but it's not as if she would not know the penalty. Risk your life to do something ignoble and downright henious - expect little sympathy from me. Start praying lady while you can still breathe.
nandakandamanda
So the general concensus here is crunch those neckbones and pop that spinal nerve, right?
Nessie
So by this reasoning, foreigners in Japan should not be subject to laws they consider unreasonable, right Yuri?
nec123a
I am also utterly against the use of the death penalty - mainly because I am rational and have a strong, ethical, secular-humanist outlook on life. However, (ha) it would be very difficult for one country (Japan) who also uses such a meaningless, and barbaric punishment like the death penalty to ask another equally barbaric country (Malaysia) to not use it in a case where it is legally mandated. The hypocrisy would be...hmmmm totally Japanese
Nicky Washida
She has already stated that she agreed to carry through the suitcase for the acquaintance of a friend. She claims that she thought there were books inside. However, she didnt declare that she was carrying them for someone else at check in for the flight to Malaysia. This was clearly not a plant, which would have been a heinous miscarriage of justice.
Elbuda Mexicano
Thanks Patrick I am not sure if they do not have the death penalty in PI, but this morning on Nihon TV or something like that they said 1 Japanese had been executed there, there was a whole list, number 1 was China, but if we go to other countries, do not obey their laws, we should not be surprised to pay the consequences,right? By the way now a few Mexicans are ready to hang there in Malaysia too, do I feel sorry for them?? Hell no! Let them hang too!
Arayat
Every country has their own law,, obey their laws so you don`t get yourself hanged
unreconstructed
Right.Yeah. Christian authorities in America execute by hanging small-time drug mules transiting through American airports. The above quote is about the most ignorant uninformed comment possible on a thread like this one.
kevinintokyo
She knew the rules and she got caught. Almost everyone knows how Malaysia and many other countries in Asia deal with smugglers. She is not innocent and will most likely be executed. For goodness sake she had 3.5 kilos of meth on her. It is sad and hope that it spreads the message not to mess around smuggling.
nath
Maybe she thought the guy had a bowling ball or something like that in his carry on.
BlueWitch
I'm so sorry to go against the views of some of my fellow posters but as I have stated before:
THE DEATH PENALTY DOES NOT WORK AS A DETERRENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it did, then we would have a lot less murders, drug related crimes, etc. But it just DOESN'T.
I CAN'T and WON'T support the death penalty because I am SURE there is at least ONE person innocent on death row awaiting his/her death right NOW as I'm typing this. I do not support the murder or INNOCENT people. period.
Also, I did mention before that EVEN if someone enters my home and murders my beloved husband and 4 children, I still would NOT want that person to hang, I want that person(s) incarcerated for the rest of his/her natural life. Lifetime in jail is what I want. No more freedom, just anguish/boredom inside a prison cell. Sounds right to me!
Love me or Hate me. But as I tend to respect people's opinions I wish mine would be respected as well. BlueWitch has spoken. (^_^)
BurakuminDes
Allow me to quote our former PM John Howard (a man I usually despised) talking about a Melbourne boy - Van Tuong Nguyen - who was executed in Changi prison, Singapore in 2005 (at age 25) for drug trafficking:
I don't believe in capital punishment, he was a convicted drug trafficker and that is to be wholly condemned ... don't have anything to do with drugs. Don't use them, don't touch them, don't carry them, don't traffic in them and don't imagine for a moment - for a moment - that you can risk carrying drugs anywhere in Asia without suffering the most severe consequences
Pretty relevant to this woman's situation, and I couldn't have put it better myself.
YuriOtani
The punishment is too harsh for the crime. I am against this no matter where the suspect comes from and whatever their gender. It is just WRONG!
m6bob
@BlueWitch: It works that's why you are reading about such cases once in a while, instead of every 2days. Same goes for murders.
sqwak
@m6bob Oct. 26, 2011 - 10:17PM JT
You are right on the dot !
It sure works. Would anyone here like to test yourself whether you are afraid of death or not?
Even drug dealers know that they are not immortal.
Everyone dies once, but once sure is more than enough.
YuriOtani
sqwak, the group here is showing about zero empathy. Would you be in favor of hanging all felony criminals? How about misdemeanor ones as well?
sqwak
@YuriOtani
I definitely do not feel sorry for the drug dealers who are found guilty and given the death penalty, and by whatever means they are removed for good before they do much more damage to society.
The same goes for those who are found guilty of henious crimes such as murder.
As for only misdemeanor ones...... would you? My answer is the same as yours.
seesaw1
Patrick Smash: LOL. you must be one of those who still think Malaysians live on the trees..I figured you must be in your 70s...?..:)
seesaw1
This whole story about this silly Japanese woman in Malaysia should be put to an end soonest. I'm amazed that readers spent 2 days and 2 nights over this matter. I salute Malaysia for their strict law about drugs!
Elbuda Mexicano
I tried and tried but could not sleep, here I am, wishing my beloved USA and Mexico had nice laws like MALAYSIA!! Folk here who cry for a drug mule, drug dealers, HAVE NOT SEEN THE PAIN, the SUFFERING, the violence, the hell that these bastards make for young people and old people and for anybody who becomes a drug addict, say like MARVIN GAYE who in the end was shot by his own FATHER for trying to steal his father's TV to sell it for drugs! This is what this Japanese drug mule arrested in Malaysia, this is what I guess Yuri Otani and the other anti death penalty for drug mules do not understand, most Japanese only no about ALCOHOL, they see drunks, yada na! If you think alcoholics are bad, try to deal with drug addicts at work or in your job etc..I had to deal with idiots like this back in California at WORK! Drug addicts, they would call them, workers with drug issues, my ass!! Working with fools that take cocaine at work! Yes, they are happy when high and as soon as their HIGH is gone, they are low, low, angry, pissed off irritated, waiting for their next fix, so if Malaysia is killing off crap like this I SALUTE MALAYSIA!!! and all of the good countries of the world, China, Iran etc..that at least know how to deal with drug dealers, users etc..Good comments my dear seesaw!
YuriOtani
Elbuda Mexicano, well you have a right to your view. Remember when you ask for mercy and are denied it, what you are writing today. I am against the death penalty and especially for non violent crimes. Means the criminals have nothing to lose and will resist arrest or do whatever it takes to keep it a secret. Again I am against this for all people and not just Japanese people. Yes if she is killed require Japanese companies to relocate elsewhere like the Philippine islands. Second issue an advisory saying visiting or transiting Malaysia is dangerous due to corrupt police. No reason to stop there really, Emirates has a nonstop flight from Dubai to Osaka Kansai.
ebonyninja
Blue Witch: I agree with your views on the death penalty with the exception of one matter. Prisoners cost money to keep incarcerated for life. In some states in the U.S. its to the toll of about $40,000 a year, per person. That quite a burden on the taxpayers.
Tamarama
YuriOtani,
I am also against the death penalty. But what Malaysia, or the US, or Japan (members of the Death Penalty club) chooses to do with it's sovereign laws is entirely up to them. You seem to be completely overlooking the fact that she chose to break the law in Malaysia which draws the highest penalty. It is not the responsibility of the Japanese government to intervene to protect a criminal just because she is Japanese. And why should Japanese companies forego trade and business in Malaysia for the sake of a criminal who is being dealt with according to the State law? This has nothing to do with them. You are just blaming Malaysia for this entirely - where is Taguchi San's responsibility in all of this? Is she to blame at all?
Spidapig24
YuriOtani
I partly agree here non violent crimes should not get the death penalty, however drug dealers and couriers should be executed. The reason, they are not hurting one person but many all because of greed to make money. They are willing to ruin the lives not only of the users, but the families and friends of these people. Drugs dont only affect the user but a lot more people. The costs even just financially are enormous let alone the emotional damage caused. So why you may view drugs as a non violent crime, it is in some ways worse.
So you are prepared to throw away trade and business all because of a drug mule getting caught and being punished? Wow that is crazy
Yeah and maybe other nations can issue a travel advisory against Japan citing police harassment of foreigners, discrimination against foreigners etc. But the difference is most people accept that if they follow the laws of the country they visit they will have no issues. I have been to Malaysia several times and while its not perfect it isnt the dangerous place you make it out to be, oh that is unless you are breaking their laws and transporting drugs.
Your right unless your on holidays or a drug mule as this silly woman was so stop complaining, she broke the law, she knew the punishment she now suffers her fate. And l say this as an Australian, the reason l say that is there are several Australians in jail in Indonesia currently on drugs charges some are to be executed. Australians have been executed in Malaysia for drugs in the past, do l want a business ties cut, do l care about these idiots? Nope. You know why? because they where warn before they did it, they knew the risks. Infact as for your travel advisory, it is well documented on the government travel website about these laws.
sfjp330
Meth is very bad but get a grip. It doesn't deserve the death penalty. Most states in the U.S. don't have that for hard core convicted murderers, so where do you honestly think meth ranks next to that? If she is convicted, should get 5 to 10 years in prison for the first time offense. I wouldn't trust the Malaysian judical system.
Spidapig24
sfjp330,
Who cares what the US does, this is about Malaysia and the fact of the matter is Malaysia executes drug smugglers. This has nothing to do with US laws and punishments. If you are taking drugs into Malaysia then if your caught expect to get executed its called respecting the laws of the country you are going to. Its not like the punishment is a big secret all you need ot do is check any nations travel advice for Malaysia and its there in black and white "Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking". So if you ignore that then its your own fault.
sfjp330
Spidapig24. You must be from Malaysia. History has shown Malaysian authorities have planted false drug evidence to convict many innocent people that is currently on the death row. I don't see any credibility in their system.
Mirai Hayashi
That's your opinion...and perhaps many people share that opinion. I even agree that the punishment is too harsh, but that is completely besides the point. The real point is that Malaysia thinks drug smuggling is punishable by death, so EVERYONE traveling to Malaysia must respect that...it's their law. It doesn't matter if you're Japanese, Chinese, American, English, Korean, etc, you have to follow THEIR LAWS, when you are in THEIR COUNTRY.
If someone comes to Japan and lights up a joint at Ueno park, they can't just say "I didn't know" or "its okay in my country so I though it was okay here"..Expect to be arrested and suffer the consequences carried by that offense. PERIOD...
Mirai Hayashi
Sure! All Japanese are innocent. That's why there's no crime in Japan and the "Crime" section in JT really doesn't exist.
psst! (whispers): Not all Japanese are innocent, so let's not use that as an excuse!
Elbuda Mexicano
Thanks Ms.Yuri Otani, but your reality and my reality are very different. Japan is still basically drug free, you do not have drug wars, you do not have police getting their heads chopped off or the army heads getting chopped off and left out in the sun in the middle of town for everybody to see like we do in MEXICO, this is why I like Japan so much and why I also like Malaysia, both are very safe. I feel bad for this woman in Malaysia, but in the end, she has nobody to blame but herself, Japanese nurses make real good $$$$, no need to be a drug mule, if she was some poor, single mother from Colombia, Nigeria etc..I could understand the desperation, the need for $$$, but a nurse in Japan$$$$?? I wish we did not have drugs, I wish we did not have murderers I wish we did not need jails nor the death penalty, but I can only wish so much right?? The sad truth is the mafias of many countries, including Japan need to make $$$$ they do not care how they make their $$$, so to set an example to those evil drug dealers etc..somebody needs to hang once in a while. I do hope this woman would have never gotten herself involved in this horrible mess, just like the 2 or 3 Mexican brothers who were arrested in Malaysia for running crystal meth factories with their native Chinese Malay counterparts, and both groups will get the death sentence, too bad we do not have in Mexico, we really need to hang so many evil, satanic rotten to the core drug dealers in not only Mexico but the USA and all of the Americas ASAP. This is just my humble opinion and if you have time I would love for you to read about drug violence in Mexico in English on Yahoo, Google etc..Americans buy so many drugs from Mexico$$$$$ and all this $$$$ goes to the mafias in Mexico, they have better guns, cars, airplanes etc..than the Mexican police and army, do we want Japan to be like this too??
true2self083
If she was in fact doing this it's wrong but she shouldn't be murdered. A life is a life. The only reason this is happening is because Malaysia is run by Islamic law. Islam is a cancer.
palanteboricua
Do the crime - pay the time!! In her case .... hit the deadline!
nandakandamanda
Japan tends to be flexible. The West tends to be inflexible.
In this case Malaysia would like to demonstrate inflexibility.
That movie 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence' illustrates the difference pretty well.
Elbuda Mexicano
China is communist officially not any religion and you get to hang!! Or shot in the head for drugs so not just Malaysia and only Muslim countries!! Singapore mostly Chinese so few Muslims but you hang for drugs Thailand mostly Buddhists but kiss your ass sayonara if they catch you there with drugs!!
presto345
Drug trafficking is a serious crime, but to take a life for that is barbaric, harsh, medieval. Sad story.
Elbuda Mexicano
I am sure the anti death posters have NEVER dealt with drug addicts in their families or schools or work like I have back in California!! Malaysia is clean while America is infested with drugs and violence rapists child molesters etc..fools on drugs can't remember who they killed?? Raped??
YuriOtani
Do not think she got due process from the Malaysian government. She was going through the country and not staying. Seems more and more like a set up job to me. In any event it is my privilege not to visit or buy the products of any country for any reason.
true2self083
Sure other countries have harsh penalty for drug trafficking. But the difference is that the Malaysian government claims that their laws are from God! It's entirely different than not having a government controlled by religion. When religion controls government the people suffer! Only in Islam this happens. That's why people like Geert Wilders are despised for speaking the truth and it's a cancer!
Spidapig24
YuriOtani
A set up, ok lets see she admitted taking the bag from a man without knowing whats inside (what sort of idiot would do that in the first place). It wasnt her first trip to Malaysia in other words she had done this before. Everyone knows Malaysia's stance on drugs. At EVERY airport you are asked if you packed your own bas or if they have been left alone or tampered with. She obviously said no (a lie). So not only did she lie at her departure point (outside of Malaysia) but also willingly took a bag belonging to someone else to a country that has the death penalty for drug smuggling. And you think she was set up by the Malaysian government SERIOUSLY!!!! So was the guy who gave her the bag in on the Malaysian plot, how about the airport officials in Dubia they in on it to. And to what end all so that they can hang a Japanese citizen, after all thats what you claimed yesterday.
Mirai Hayashi
I think you're being extremely biased here. You're assuming her innocence solely based on the fact that she's Japanese. Would you feel the same if she were American or Korean? Would you feel the same if she admitted her guilt? Evidence seems to indicate she is either guilty or extremely dumb. I don't think she is that dumb. Where is your evidence that she is not guilty or that this is a setup?
nath
Muslim countries = a bit too eager with the noose and the stoning-pit.
keretahonda
honestly people. i'm a student in malaysia and do you know that malaysian's law is based from british law for more than 50 years. So far, islamic law only apply to muslims familiy issues. Please read about something before making false accusation.
sqwak
Please people, do not bring in religion into this discussion. The discussion here is about the anti-drug law in Malaysia.
As I've posted above (Oct 26, 2011 12.35 am) , the reason why such a strict law is passed in Malaysia is very simple - Malaysia wants to protect it's people from being destroyed by drugs. Malaysia, is doing as much as it can in this regard. Passing such an anti-drug law is one of them. Malaysia is going in the right direction for its people. If the law in your own nation is different, it is your nation's perogative.
One more thing. It is sickening to keep reading some ignorant comments here blaming and condeming the Muslim religion in Malaysia. For those who condemns, it is obvious that you belong to some other religion or is a free thinker. This is alright and fine, nobody is saying your religion or you are bad. So please leave the Muslim religion alone. Only condemn when you are knowledgeable, understand or is a master of this religion and about the country of Malaysia.
For your info. I am not a Muslim. But I hate how ignorant fingers are pointed at this religion and Malaysia as the big bad boy in connection with this anti-drug law.
I have travelled some and lived some. Even been to, lived and worked in Malaysia for some time. You will have your minds and eyes opened if you were to go to Malaysia and live there for a spell, getting to know Malaysia. Your experience and learning process will expand your outlook about life. So, unless and until you do so and have had first hand knowledge about Malaysia and the Muslim religion, please keep quiet about what you think you know, but in reality do not know. It is not necessary to exhibit our ignorance.
keretahonda
well said sqwak
mtwildman
The religion of "peace" strikes again...i feel sorry for this gal...being a woman in a Muslim country is bad enough...being female getting busted and going to court is as bad as it gets...she could be telling the truth but the dominate Muslim male judges rule like old school Sultans!
motytrah
Lot's of Asian countries have the Death Penalty for Drugs. Most of them aren't Muslim. Singapore has a big warning on the entry Visa stating "Death to Drug Traffickers". All this case tells me is the economy in Japan is pretty dire when a middle class person risks their life on a drug score.
techall
mtwildman: Depends on the barnd is Islam. Malaysia and Indonesia claim to be tolerant if other religions and for the most part they are. The Fundementalist religous governments of Iran, Saudi Arabia etc. are not so tolerant. As for Islam not being the religion of peace, do you consider the cursades and the Spanish inquisition prime examples of christian peace?
Chris Catalano
Um, sorry, but this is just plain barbarism. Let's execute their justice system (and every other that uses capital punishment to deal with a substance) by shooting it in the heart, repeatedly, until it dies and is replaced by something that is more humane and tolerant (anything would be more so).
anita80
@mtwildman
> The religion of "peace" strikes again...i feel sorry for this gal...being a woman in a Muslim country is bad enough...being female getting busted and going to court is as bad as it gets...she could be telling the truth but the dominate Muslim male judges rule like old school Sultans!
Hah! What so different of being the Muslim male judges and Non-Muslim judges come from any gender as long the authorities referred to the Rule of Malaysia when it comes to drugs? Then, being a woman in non-Muslim country like China (where there is a Malaysian woman got caught because of drugs), Peru (Malaysian woman also doing such a dirty job), then can I say being a woman in those country which are non-muslim country is bad enough? Unrealistic and very low thinking. It's just how you being used by those culprits to do their dirty jobs..in ways you can have a high paid or in reverse you will be hang..just choose and watch out woman out there even you are Muslim, non-muslim, Japanese, Americans or from all over the world you come from, don't be a scape-goat to the drugs mule..
Moreover, please stop barking about other countries rules and enforcement when your people got caught and sentenced to death. If the gaijin like me doing such a thing, doing a dirty work on drugs , you know how your media will stipulating around all the days.. Police in Malaysia know their job to deal with drugs.. One time you come, they just let you go..Second time you come, OK! You can pass the gate freely..and I think this woman say "Ah!! What a fool authorities..You will never catch me!"..Third time, they already alert and wait until you come with the big total of whatever drugs it is by the sixth you come and bring it..they will "Get ya..See you in court"..Then, stop barking like a wild dog about how the Malaysia local authorities do their job...
sfjp330
sqwakOct. 28, 2011 - 10:40AM JST. Malaysia, is doing as much as it can in this regard. Passing such an anti-drug law is one of them. Malaysia is going in the right direction for its people. If the law in your own nation is different, it is your nation's perogative. Your experience and learning process will expand your outlook about life. So, unless and until you do so and have had first hand knowledge about Malaysia and the Muslim religion, please keep quiet about what you think you know, but in reality do not know. It is not necessary to exhibit our ignorance
There is a credibility problem based on history of Malaysian police. Few years ago, the head of a commission inquiry into the Malaysian police said his panel has been inundated with allegations of corruption and brutality. At the time, Prime Minister wanted immediate action to put the commission's proposals into effect, once it issues its full report. The complainants had repeatedly alleged rampant corruption in the force's traffic, commercial crimes, narcotics and internal investigation divisions. His commission had also uncovered evidence that excessive force had been used against detainees, adding that they are investigating a number of deaths in police custody. Many people report being asked for bribes by officers. If you have 700 people in death row for drug related sentence, how many of these convicted people are possibly framed?
nath
I do not agree in the death penalty in most cases and especially for drug crimes but she was carrying 3.5KG which is a lot of dope. She knew the chance she was taking and decided to roll the dice. Another way to look at this is that Nothing really matters since everything is Nothing as long as you live in the Nothingness. In that way if she dies or lives it does not matter. She and everyone else is gonna die sooner or later anyways. Why is everyone so freaked out about death? Enjoy when it comes. She is a lucky woman. If she lives in the Nothingness it will not matter what happens. That is the way Steve Jobs lived since he discovered Nothingness a long time ago. He worked till death and did not care at all that he would die.
sqwak
@sfjp330
Don't know whether you are aware or not - out of most of 700 in death row for drug related sentence, at least around 90% are foreigners. Why are there so many foreigners bringing drugs into Malaysia? Could it be because they, like you perhaps are ignorant enough to have under estimated the law enforcement agencies and the foreign embassies in Malaysia?
Has it never occured to you that when a foreigner is taken into custody, especially for such a serious crime as this, wouldn't their embassy be aware of it ? Even if the embassy had not read about it in the news, the embassy would have been notified accordingly by the relevant government agency of that country.
Therefore, as such, do you think that an embassy would not do all they can to see to the welfare of their nationals and protect their national's interests. Would it blindly allow their nationals be used as scapegoats or be setup by some corrupted Malaysian law enforcement agency and not know about it or do something about it? Wouldn't the embassy do all they can to help and protect their national if they deem there is a "set-up" or ........... not intervene should the detainee did really break the law?
Can "set-ups" and "scapegoats" be so easily done, as one can so easily hear about such stories and frighten one's life out of it? "Oh, I will not visit Malaysia......" etc etc
No doubt, as in all corners of the world, there may be some bad apples in government law enforcement agencies, but it does not mean that the whole barrel is bad. Just think, if you were the baddie, would you risk attracting investigation into your outlaw operation in such a high profile "scapegoat" or "set-up" sting, when you can do your lucrative dirty business quietly without drawing any attention?
Think !
techall
Don't know if YOU know are aware or not but a vast number of those foreigners are Indonesian and many of them are from Aceh provence which was pretty much destroyed on the 26 December 2004 earthquake (more than 100,000 dead) which is a short boat trip across the Strait of Malacca from Malaysia. So why do people from one country with a death penalty for drug trafficing deal drugs with another country with the death panalty for drug trafficing? Pure economics! They are destitute and this is a quick way to get money to support themselves and/or families.
WilliB
Cricky:
It is a heck of a deterrent to the 700. You bet they won´t do it again in their lifetime.
MeLuvULongTimes
And of course she got it from a foreigner in Roppongi...
The sentence is so wrong. She and many, many others around the globe need help, not condemnation, imprisonment and death. Drugs are a medical problem, not a legal one.
Wolfpack
I do think she deserves to be punished for attempting to bring drugs into a foreign country but the death penalty is not commensurate with the crime - even if the drugs were somehow associated with the death of someone else later on. The death penalty should only be used for a person who is directly responsible for another persons death. That said, she is an idiot or crazy.
Other news reports have stated that the person that gave her the drugs was an Iranian national. It is a common tactic for drug smugglers to befriend someone who is gullible or desperate enough to take a bunch of money and a free plan ticket to carry drugs into another country. She made a dumb decision to break the law. She made a fatal decision by breaking the drug law in Malaysia.
Elbuda Mexicano
In this case, it seems she had some kind of Iranian lover, but last night, here on Japanese tv, they showed these Japanese Obaachans, fat old women, maybe divorced or widows?? Anyway, young African dudes talk to them, sweet talk, get MARRIED I mean like a 20 year old black kid with a 75 year old Japanese hag, for LOVE?? Well, she thinks it is LOVE the African dudes says, hey honey, lets go to Nigeria meet my family etc..on the way back to JAPAN, he is busy at the last moment, the stupid old Japanese hag goes from Lagos, Nigeria to XXXX by herself, lands back in Nippon, say Kansai International etc..and WOW!! What does this old fat obaahan have in her bags?? YES!! Kilos and kilos of drugs that her young Nigerian husband was nice enough to hide in her bags, she is rotting in jail, the African dude is looking for more stupid old women to fall for his sweet talk, so Malaysia, yes back to Malaysia, they know what to do with drugs and you do not see Malaysia full of Iranians nor Colombians, Nigerians etc..because they know they will HANG!!!
nath
Death penalty is too cruel and has many problems for it. Even life in prison is a waste of our money. The truth is that both of these cost a lot of money in the USA on legal bills which usually go above $1M.
I suggest we just drop these people off in deserted islands and let then fend for themselves.
Tamarama
zichi
Why do you assume that? Seems like a pretty long bow to draw. I did say I was against the death penalty - which I assume you read. And I don't see how you could have formulated this kind of assumption based on what I have said.
Why do you assume that? What have I said that would lead you to that conclusion?
Really? A 36 year old woman in this day and age just accepts a bag from a stranger to take on a plane? I think it far more likely she took a chance and lost out.
honey
Blue Witch,
I support your opinion completely! Wrong + Wrong = Wrong.
602miko
Look, it is not only Malaysia that kills off scum drug mules, so does China, Singapore, Thailand, and yes even THE PHILIPPINES! I just saw a Japanese news on tv, it was about this woman and it showed all the countries that have executed Japanese and most have been given the death penalty for drug trafficking so if some Japanese are really angry about Malaysia and want to take out all Japanese companies and $$$ from there to the Philippines?? Well, they will also execute you there too, mostly a Catholic country but I guess Filipinos know drugs are bad, so you can also be a teru teru bozu hanging from an old hard rope in Manila too if you take too many drugs through their airports.
Well said! ELBUDA MEXICANO im with you! your a good commentator.
oginome
How barbaric.
ojiiu812badboy
My grandmother always said "Ignorance is no excuse for the law." I just returned from traveling which included stops in Japan, U.S. (both coasts), and Central America. If not asked, there were signs posted all over the terminals about this exact matter: Did any stranger give you a package? or something to that effect. I would like ask Ms. Takeuchi some questions. Who gave her the package? What was the deal? and Where was she to drop it off? Malaysia: I would have used her in a sting to catch the individual(s) who received the package. Given her a lighter sentence for cooperating, hang the recipient of the drugs, and tried like hell to catch "the man who duped her" and hang him, too. THEN GO PUBLIC! I think Malaysia is using this young lady as a token, unless there's more to her story. For a 36 y/o "former nurse" she seems to be well traveled. These dumb wars going on should make any fool less likely to take risks in travels. I think its a bit trivial to discuss the country's laws and government. I hope this young lady has a competent lawyer and she gets closer to her "higher power." It's evident she wasn't blessed with common sense, hopefully she's blessed with luck.
NetNinja
Gender has no bearing on this case. She has been given the same treatment as any man and the decision / verdict is fair.
In Japan here, a woman can get away with virtually any crime, fraud, drug traficking, exploitation, blackmail and the legal system looks the other way.
Japan's legal system should strive to be more like Malaysia, no more favoritism or soft-handedness based on gender (women). A man gets 15 years for a crime, a woman should get 15 years for the same crime. Women throughout history have fought for equality. Okay here it is. It's not something that should be convenient.
nath
Global decriminalization of all drugs, please. End the "narco-police" state, spend the money thrown away on prisons and cops on education and treatment-prevention. Look at the reasons why people use drugs and address them.
nath
Anyway, wouldn't it be more "Islamic" of Malaysia to just chop the woman's hands off so she can no longer carry bags of drugs into their country?
barristerwolf
They will never learn, prohibition of anything creates criminals! As long as the world makes any drugs, alcohol, or anything else, the temptation is the reason anybody does anything! Mylasia is at fault for this just the same as all other governments that insist on making stupid antidrug laws. IF IT WASN'T AGAINST THE LAW THE INTREST WOULD BE LOST BUT TO A FEW.
techall
You mean by some "Global Government" with totalitarian powers?
anita80
@Herb Square
**
I think you better learn about Syaria Law..It's for stealing man..not for smuggling drugs..besides, there still no Syaria Law apply in Malaysia and lucky to those who makes crimes here and there...and if Malaysia applied that, other country which thinks they are too modernization will barking and barking about how wrong it is..(Oh! Miss Junko Furata, how I wish your murderer be in Malaysia..they will be hanged and they will see you up above so that you can revenge as what you did to you..May you RIP!!)
nath
I am familiar with Sharia. I was being sarcastic. The brutality of Sharia and of the death penalty for drug trafficking in Islamic countries are ridiculous. Sharia, more so, because it is enforced in the name of a- supposedly merciful- God.
nath
YuriOtani
Still am not sure if she had a fair trial and that she was not set up by the police to show they are doing their jobs. Just being stupid should not be a capital offense. If this standard was held for politicians, we would lose the majority of them to the rope!
Elbuda Mexicano
Thanks 602MIKO san! Once in a while a kind word really goes a long long way. Yes, I do hate drugs, sorry folks, really hate drugs, hate what they do to people worse than cancer in my book, worse than AIDS! I do not want to argue with Ms.Otani about Malaysia and it's laws, I have been to Malaysia very clean and safe country, I would really, really doubt that they would go out of their way to arrest a Japanese and a woman to make her an example to other drug dealers, drug mules etc..thousands of Japanese LIVE IN MALAYSIA, thousands of Japanese WORK in Malaysia, and thousands of Japanese go and RETIRE after working their butts off here in Japan to Malaysia, it's kind of like a big Okinawa, Hawaii but with no American bases, people from all over the world go to that beautiful country, almost anybody there speaks English, kind of like Thailand which is next door but with out the language barrier thanks to the British that colonized that part of the world, now, go to Miami, Chicago, Acapulco, NYC and try to walk around in some of the drug infested neighborhoods see what drug dealers do then maybe you will be able to appreciate why Malaysia etc..give the DEATH PENALTY to these evil, stupid people, who want easy $$$$ by poisoning you, me, our children etc...
YuriOtani
Elbuda Mexicano, I hear what you are saying. Mexico has become a real mess! I can see why you would want to hang the drug mules. I do respect your views and am only stating my point of view. It is hard for me to understand your view but have not "walked in your shoes". Peace and good fortune be with you.
Mentaiko2
I watched this on TV this week. Basically, the program made it out that she was probably totally unaware of what was in her bag and that we all must be careful not to get caught like this. They showed a young Japanese woman making friends with a foreign guy overseas and then him giving her a gift to pass on to his sister who lives in Japan... blah blah blah. Since I first travelled when I was 12, I have known that you NEVER carry anything for anyone else when you don't know the contents of the article. I have unwrapped presents to check them because Aust. customs are so strict on wood products, food stuff, basically anything, so we must know what we have. Personally, I don't believe that she didn't know what she was carrying. The sad thing is she will die and the big head-honcho guys will just find another person to carry the drugs. sad sad cycle.
Elbuda Mexicano
Thanks Yuri Otanis san, and by the way, my own younger brother was a drug addict for many, many years, and he finally has been drug free for about 5 years now, and I have uncles, cousins who have died from drug over doses in both Mexico and in the USA and even those who have killed or been killed in my own family over drugs, so I really hope and pray Japan is never as messed up as Mexico or the USA, peace to you too Yuri san.
Maitake
This is weeks old, but still "Hot". ... Did she dieded?
darkwolf15455
I don't think its right to have a death penaltie on drug smuggling unless you've done it many times in the past.
akumarukay
hm.. I have read many comment on this.. well as a malaysian I will write a comment about this too...
It is a shame that the japanese woman is executed but do you ever think what Malaysian thinking about this? We are really surprise and like 'is this true? I pity on her and I wish can help her'. We really loves japanese people. We also admire Japan. So there are not about government, races, religion or etc. It is just about you do the crime you will get the punishment. No matter what you are. But I'm also surprise why people do not argue about some african or islamic people sentence to death here. Same case as her.
About death penalty. Are this barbaric? It seems like it. Are this inhuman? It seems like it. Are this not equal with her doing? seems like it. Well... did you ever think why we have death penalty by hanging here? did you? In the very early years Malaysia is almost destroyed by drugs. Why? Because it ruins family, friends, jobs, everything. Everyday the person will always think about drugs and how to get the drugs. It is easy... killing their mother, father and families or neighbours to get their money. Even in one case, the drugger cut his grandma finger to get her ring. This have continue about few years and until today they are many teenagers destroyed their own life with drugs.
Why would they do drugs? It is because of their friend. Influence. why their friends do drugs? of course because the drug dealers tactics. Sometime they give someone to taste it without the person know what it is for free. then when the person addicted, that is when they play the prices. To get discount they will find another person and continues....
Lastly, one drug dealer can destroyed about 1000 life. You know how the multi-level-marketing works right? same system. we have discuss about the punishment countless of time but still the rate is not decreasing. This sentence is the last we can get. Malaysian hanging is one of the most painless death for your information.
Is it still barbaric? unhuman? not practical? It is your choice to judge but I just tell you the truth. we really loves japan and many dreams about going, studying, work in japan. It is not about anything. It is about crime they do.