Illegal drug seizures by Japanese customs authorities topped 3 metric tons in 2025 for the first time in six years, rising 15% from the previous year, the Finance Ministry said Tuesday.
Customs officers seized 3,211 kilograms of illegal drugs at airports and seaports nationwide last year, according to the ministry＊s Customs and Tariff Bureau. The total amount seized was the second-highest on record and the first time since 2019 that annual seizures exceeded 3 metric tons. The most on record was 3,339 metric tons that year.
The ministry said the influx of illicit drugs is extremely serious and that it will continue to enforce strict border controls.
The overall number of drug cases edged down 1% from a year earlier to 1,000.
Marijuana cases declined 17% to 316, but the amount seized jumped 3.5 times to a record 1,531 kg. Much of that increase stemmed from a June bust in which Tokyo Customs discovered approximately 1 metric ton of marijuana hidden in a shipping container arriving from Vietnam worth a market price of about ?5.2 billion ($33.9 million), the biggest drug bust in the country＊s history.
By origin of shipments, the United States accounted for 43% of detected marijuana cases, followed by Thailand at 27% and Vietnam at 8%.
Cases involving methamphetamine fell 10% from a year earlier to 126, while the volume seized dropped 53% to 840 kg. By contrast, cocaine, MDMA and other narcotics surged 49% to 798 kg.
Authorities also reported 235 cases involving products containing THC, totaling 318 kg. Japan began classifying THC as a narcotic under a revised law that took effect in December 2024.
Seizures of what are known as designated drugs 〞 substances banned from possession or sale under Japanese regulations 〞 climbed nearly fourfold to 41 kg. Among them was etomidate, sometimes referred to as ※zombie juice,§ or ※zombie cigarettes,§ which was added to the controlled list last year.
Smuggling tactics are becoming more varied, officials said, including attempts by travelers to carry large quantities personally. In January 2025, a passenger arriving at Narita Airport from the United States was found concealing 25 kg of marijuana in a suitcase.
Separately, seizures of gold bullion, with prices continuing at historically high levels, fell 68% from a year earlier to 425 kg.
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