Japanese authorities launched investigations into a record 7,120 people for cannabis offenses in 2025, a 12% rise from the previous year, government data showed Tuesday.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said 72% of those investigated — 5,151 people — were under 30, an 11% increase and also a record. Overall drug-related cases rose 8% to 15,186, while stimulant cases climbed 4% to 6,575. For the third consecutive year, cannabis cases outnumbered stimulant cases.
Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said at a news conference that Japan will coordinate with foreign agencies and pursue comprehensive, government-wide drug measures to tackle the problem internationally.
Seizures reported for 2025 included 1,535.1 kg of cannabis products, including dried marijuana (up 239%); 1,687.6 kg of stimulants (up 14%); 248.8 kg of cocaine (down 17%); and 311,532 tablets of synthetic drugs such as MDMA (up 33%). Investigations into alleged drug smuggling rose 35% to 644 people.