Police handle record cannabis cases

Jiji Press

19:31 JST, June 28, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Police arrested or took other actions against a record 5,783 people in cannabis cases in 2021, health ministry data showed Tuesday. Of the total, 68% were people in their 20s or younger.

“Cannabis abuse is noticeable mainly among young generations,” health minister Shigeyuki Goto told a news conference, showing determination to strengthen a crackdown and promote awareness programs to prevent the use of illegal drugs.

The number of people handled by police for cannabis possession or other related allegations increased by 523 from the previous year, up for the eighth consecutive year. Of the total, those aged between 10-19 numbered 1,000, reaching that level for the first time on record, and those in their 20s came to 2,934.