NCJ Number
163151
Journal
Bulletin of the Criminological Research Department Dated: (1995) Pages: 7-9
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Drug law offenses and sentencing for these offenses in Japan were studied using data from criminal cases from January 1989 through June 1994.
Abstract
The analysis focused on 7,702 cases of Stimulant Drugs Control Law violations, 519 Narcotic Drugs Control Law violations, 3,489 Cannabis Control Law violations, and 34 Opium Law violations. Results revealed that the majority of violators of the Opium Law and the Narcotics Drug Control Law were of foreign nationalities. Sixty percent of those who had violated the Stimulant Drugs Control Law had previous convictions for drug offenses. The majority had prior convictions for other kinds of offenses. Less than 10 percent had sentences suspended for previous offenses. Crucial factors in sentences of imprisonment and suspended sentences included prior drug offenses, the nature of the offense, involvement in drug trafficking, the amount of drugs, and other factors.