WASHINGTON (Kyodo) A U.S. government report on narcotics control Friday describes Japan as a place with widespread marijuana use and one of the largest markets for methamphetamines in Asia.
The 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, issued by the U.S. Department of State, said that "marijuana use is widespread" in Japan while "methamphetamine abuse remains the biggest challenge" to its antinarcotics efforts.
Although the report did not elaborate, its reference to marijuana use in Japan apparently reflects the recent statistical jump in cannabis-related crimes, including highly publicized cases involving sumo wrestlers and college students in the past year.