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Foreign Teacher Arrest Update
Posted By Dave on June 20th, 2009
Well the story I wrote about last night has made the national headlines, with the Daily Yomiuri carrying the story, as well as the 47 News website. As Jay commented on the original article, it looks like these “party pills” which contain benzylpiperazine were the ones imported, although 47 News is reporting that it is methamphetamine. That latter report does appear to be the only one stating that though. It’s also alleged that 44 pills were imported, which you would think is a little above what they could class as personal consumption.
It is this benzylpiperazine which is a banned substance in a number of countries, including Japan, New Zealand, USA and the UK. The stories are also reporting the pills were purchased from a British company online in mid-April and were seized on arrival in Tokyo. If these pills do contain this substance then the defence that they didn’t know it was illegal looks very shaky considering the same pills are illegal in their home country.
All education staff at my school are now fully aware of what has happened if they weren’t already, following it getting a hefty mention in this morning’s staff meeting. The superintendant of education in Okinawa has already made a statement on the matter, saying it has damaged the trust placed in the education system, and, as expected, the incident was described as “regrettable”.
Tags: benzylpiperazine, drugs, featured, japanese news, jet programme, okinawan news, party pills
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Comments 33
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June 21st, 2009 at 08:45
what a nauseating sight.
but,in this case only a small part of the problem.
this kind of crimes committed by gaijin is on the rise and has become a social problem.
it seems sign of going from bad to worse.
we must kick m* ron alt out of japan.
youtube.com/watch?v=kp09gn9UlPo
June 21st, 2009 at 09:16
Thanks for the comment, although I think you made a mistake by saying that these types of crimes “committed by gaijin” are increasing, which would imply that cases involving Japanese and illegal substances is not experiencing an increase. Indeed the government has been doing a lot of talk about marijuana usage in Japan and how to curb it.
You seem to be getting very close to the “all foreigners are bad and should be kicked out to keep Japan pure” point of view. It’s an interesting one, but one that doesn’t really hold any value in today’s society.
June 21st, 2009 at 17:00
I don’t agree with with what these girls did in the slightest, but to point it out specifically as a crime committed by gaijin, and to say that we should be kicked out of the country for it, is a bit much.
In fact, the very same crime was committed by a Japanese person only three weeks ago:
http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=200906/2009060300386
Should all company workers be kicked out of the country, too? How about all 22-year-olds? This is hardly a purely “gaijin” crime.
Drugs are a social problem, but they are a problem belong to everyone, not just gaijin, or “moron ALTs”.
June 21st, 2009 at 18:58
You make a valid comment, although the person in the article you linked to is not a teacher (from what I can gather from the article), and a large amount of responsibility is placed in the teachers for educating students both in and out of the classroom.
I think the numbers of ALTs should probably go down, or the composition of such teachers should change somewhat, but that is mainly due to reasons that are not part of this topic.
June 21st, 2009 at 21:51
The person in the above linked article may not be a teacher, but it illustrates the point that Japanese people are just as capable of committing the same crimes as “gaijin”. What country you’re from has absolutely nothing to do with it.
As for being a teacher, I’m not entirely sure how anyone plans on altering the JET Programme based on these events. To insist that each applicant of the JET Programme has teaching qualifications? One of the arrested girls does actually have teachers’ qualifications. That didn’t stop her from making a stupid, irresponsible mistake.
In fact, if these two are included, out of the three JET Programme participants who have been asked to leave the programme this year, two of them have had teaching qualifications. Which, if you go by pure numbers, would indicate that Japan should be hiring more ALTs without teaching qualifications.
Or, it would indicate the most sensible thing – that you can’t judge an entire group by the actions of a few, and that two ALTs making a stupid mistake doesn’t mean that the other 6,000 in Japan are doing a bad job.
June 21st, 2009 at 23:45
I will assume by “JET Programme participants”, you are only referring to those in Okinawa? If not then your numbers are quite wrong as there have been much more than 3 participants who have left in the current JET Programme cycle (commencing in August). CLAIR themselves reported on a few cases around 4-5 months ago.
As for what country you being from having a relevance, it does when the shoe fits for the political message you are trying to make. Hence why the recent alleged JMSDF rape case is receiving so little column inches in the Japanese media compared to recent cases involving US servicemembers stationed in Japan.
June 22nd, 2009 at 19:37
Surely this isn’t a crime that is related to being a ‘gaijin’. But you have to be pretty stupid in the first place for ordering illegal drugs thru regular mail when you know the chances it gets checked and what would happen if you got caught.
At least it’ll serve as a warning to others thinking of pulling shit like that. Being a teacher should involve feeling responsible and trying to show a good example to others. You can all complain how we get put in the same gaijin bag here everytime something like this happens, but that’s human nature, not specific to Japan.
The people we have to blame here are the two stupid teachers. Hopefully they just get deported or fired for their own sake, but they should know the rules of the country they’re living in.
Sorry if I messed up about the facebook profiles I linked, but one of them did have a bunch of Okinawa albums.
June 23rd, 2009 at 07:56
I am curious where people are finding that Mind Candy contains BZP. I have not found that information anywhere on the Internet. As far an illegal substance through the net, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize you will most likely be caught. If anything, I would believe that anyone with a half a brain would not do this, especially some one who is a certified teacher. This, if anything, should reinforce their ignorance to its legality.
While this does not purely absolve them from the crime, should be taken into consideration. Also as someone mentioned it was most likely a bulk order for the two of them or maybe others. The circumstances are not known except by the girls and their families. Clearly they were hired and placed on their character and their academic merits at one time. I don’t think its a safe assumption that those qualities did not simply disappear over the past few months. I think it is far more likely it is was an accident.
June 23rd, 2009 at 08:12
I think the reports that are saying this website had signs saying these pills were “for fertilizer use only” or words to similar effect would give the impression that they are not legal. Also, how does that saying go… ignorance of the law is no defence?
Not sure what was the accident you referring though. Unless the accident was them getting caught (which they probably didn’t expect).
June 23rd, 2009 at 09:36
Clearly I pointed out that ignorance isn’t an excuse. The point is that no one really understands the situation and ultimately assumes that the girls intentionally and knowingly made a very stupid decision to order an illegal drug through the mail system that gets scanned by customs. People are quick to say that they are morons for doing this. I did a search of a few websites that sold the drug in question (if it is indeed mind candy) I have not found a single one that indicates that it is illegal in Japan. It would not be difficult for someone to order this stuff and not realize that its illegal.
The topic of why someone would want these is a totally different subject of course.
But I also refer to your argument that they should have known it was illegal because its illegal in the US. Well in Japan and the UK you can purchase a substance called spice. It is completely legal in Japan and illegal in the US. You can smoke weed in some countries. Its an outrages claim to assume something is illegal in a foreign country because its illegal in yours. Especially something sold on a web site that has several products and comes from an english speaking country.
The accident I am referring to is the act of ordering something illegal. The definitely ordered something, but no one here is capable of making the claim that they knowingly ordered the substances.
Please, if someone has information on this drug, I am curious. I find it hard to believe that a substance that is Illegal in the UK is being sold from the UK. Thats why I am skeptical of the benzylpiperazine claim.
June 23rd, 2009 at 09:48
Someone on one of the Japanese blogs actually linked to the J-government page about benzylpiperazine being illegal in Japan, and it is classed as category 1 in the US. Also illegal in a number of other countries. As for not knowing its legality, that is surely up to the individual to find out. Hell, it is legal to marry a goat in Sudan but I wouldn’t really expect people in Okinawa to try doing the same (although in some areas maybe wouldn’t be so surprised!).
If you find it hard to believe it can be sold in the UK but is illegal then think again. The way they get round it is by saying that you may purchase the item but you may not consume it. I believe (although may be wrong) it’s a similar deal with marijuana seeds. You can buy them but you cannot cultivate them.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:54
I wish everyone would stop calling ALTs Teachers. We are not teacher and are certainly not thought of as such by our Japanese co-workers. As you must in the Okijet loop I sure you know were these pills were destined for and those who intended to buy them for these two are just as guilty if not quite so stupid.
June 23rd, 2009 at 13:03
sim – I thank you for your comment but you are making a very sweeping generalization by saying that ALTs are not teachers. I certainly regard myself as one, having sole control of designing syllabuses planning and teaching classes, creating examination papers and grading students throughout the terms and and the end of the year. Hate to say it but maybe writing “We are not teacher” and missing off the “s” at the end of that could be a reason you’re not classed as such by your co-workers.
June 23rd, 2009 at 20:32
My co-workers tried to get me into the same car insurance plan as they had. This plan is meant for teachers, and I assume it gets a better rate, but I was denied because I was not a teacher, but rather an ALT. We may do many of the same things that teachers do, but we still do have the word “assistant” in our title.
June 24th, 2009 at 07:35
Dave, belittling people for their poor syntax, won’t change the fact that in Japan teachers in the public school system have to hold a Japanese teaching license. Whatever high opinion you may have of your own worth won’t alter that fact.
June 24th, 2009 at 07:46
@Sim – What do you think ALT stands for? Assistant Language Teacher. I will also attest to your co-workers probably not seeing you as a teacher, because you are missing an “s” from “Teacher” in your comment. Continue working on that English Simmy and one day perhaps your co-workers will respect and appreciate you.
June 24th, 2009 at 08:34
Anonymous JET – car insurance plan? I get mine through direct through JAF if my memory serves and the price I pay is exactly the same as my co-worker with the same car. In fact, mine might be a little cheaper as his wife may be insured on it too. What is the exact wording on the eligibility requirements for the insurance rate you have? Would be interested if you could scan it up.
James – Think you’ve nailed it on the head there. The disregard for syntax, grammar and general sloppiness is one of the reasons a large number of ALTs are not given the respect they feel they deserve from the Japanese in their workplace.
June 24th, 2009 at 17:27
Dave, sorry. I was in no way trying to pour scorn on the effort you put into your work. ALTs that make an effort are teachers in so much as they are engaged in teaching. But, as we don’t hold teaching licenses we are not classed as teachers in Japan.
I think you are quite right in saying dropping my Ss should be a reason for my co-workers to hold me in poor regard that and me northern accent. However I do tend to apply different standards when posting on the internet vis-à-vis my work and I don’t turn up to school having drunk copious amounts of beer.
spring, Assistant Language Teacher is the English job title. In Japanese it is more like “foreign person language helper” it may or may not be written of you “foreign person identity card”.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:28
sim – well the fact that you don’t turn up to work having drunk copious amounts of alcohol puts you ahead of some ALTs I’ve heard of (and at least one vice-principal!).
June 26th, 2009 at 08:46
(facepalm). EVERYONE knows what happens if foreigners get caught with drugs. They get arrested and deported. Is this right or wrong? It doesn’t really matter, everyone knows it will happen ergo the JETs in question have no-one but themselves to blame.
June 26th, 2009 at 09:11
Mac – hard to disagree with any of your comment there. Whatever you think about drugs and whether they should be illegal or not, if these are found to be illegal ones then the two teachers will unfortunately suffer the consequences. I think jail time is very unlikely and much more likely, as you said, is that they will be deported, possibly with a 2-10 year ban on entry into Japan.
July 10th, 2009 at 20:02
Sad that how in Japan one is guilty until proven innocent. And now that the girls have been released and all charges dropped the whole country/world will still see news articles and blogs like this and further ingrain general dislike of gaijin. I also wonder if the charges being dropped will make national news like their assumed guilt had.
July 10th, 2009 at 20:39
your comment about articles like this ingraining dislike of gaijin is not so strong though. The Japanese are unlikely to resort to a blog article written in English by a non-Japanese person in order to get a negative view of foreigners in the country. They could easily read articles in their native language about it.
July 11th, 2009 at 01:06
my comment was not towards your blog in particular, though most of the english media that reported the case cited it. but rather how though they have been acquitted of the charges the articles still remain with no retraction or update whatsoever, and how it is unfortunate that things like this serve to perpetuate the dislike of gaijin in japan.
July 11th, 2009 at 10:43
This blog is still part of the mechanism. In this case it has been what has made the story known to the English speaking world. It has been what has allowed people on numerous websites to call them stupid and lowlifes, and incited people to try to post pictures of them to further ridicule them. Though instead posted wrong pictures (which though removed here are still up on other sites that have linked to this blog) and has now allowed such scorn to be heaped upon two people who have absolutely no relation to this whatsoever. All this in the name of gossip, and judging others in order to make yourself feel better.
i’m doubtful that you will print an article about their innocence, just as I am doubtful that the Japanese news will report their innocence. In the minds of the nation they will still be guilty because the story of their innocence will not be told on the same scale. Also as someone who has been an ALT, why report stories that will make people think less of ALTs than they already do. It seems you are shooting your resume in the foot.
July 11th, 2009 at 16:32
Wait, wait, wait… the British media have been citing my site? If you’re talking about the mainstream media then please let me know which TV channels or nationals as I would like to check out my traffic figures following that. I spotted no significant spikes but must have mentioned it. I have to say I have never posted pictures or profiles of anyone involved in this, and I did in fact remove 2 Facebook links from the comments section. What other sites choose to link to is up to them though.
I am assuming you have emailed similar messages to the Okinawa Times, Ryukyu Shimpo and RBC. If so, I would very much like to hear their responses and would be interested in publishing their responses to you on the matter.
As for reporting about anything bad about ALTs, I try to report on things making the news with relevance to me. On my old site I reported about the dive instructor murdering his wife. It made big waves in the dive community and international news scene but isn’t great as I am a dive instructor. I’ll try to write both good and bad stories if I think people will be interested in them.
July 12th, 2009 at 00:53
If you are blogging in English, and it is on the Internet (a global network) you have made the information known to the English speaking world. Perhaps it is time for you to quit nitpicking at peoples posts and actually deal with the content. Dismissing an entire post because someone types “teacher” instead of “teachers” or “naiton” instead of “nation” is rather arrogant.
But the good news (which I hope you also think is good news) is that the girls are free, all charges dropped.
July 12th, 2009 at 05:21
I think you’ll find it’s more “being a grammar Nazi” than arrogant. Firefox, IE8, Opera and even browsers like Epiphany have spell-checking plugins these days which should make people’s posts and comments online much more coherent.
Am I still right in thinking that, according to the JET contract, these girls will have their contracts terminated due to being arrested? Also, please let me know which media have been citing my website; I looked through logs again last night and couldn’t find which one it could have been. And let me know what Okinawa Times and the other Okinawan broadcasters said in response to your emails – would be very interested to hear what they had to say.
July 12th, 2009 at 07:17
I doubt there will be a response in what I have written to the media, but we’ll see. As for continuing the gossip train I will let the girls respond if they want to, since they are free and able to do so.
July 12th, 2009 at 19:45
Probably a silly question, but just to make sure: your letters to the media outlets were written in formal Japanese, right?
July 17th, 2009 at 20:41
The public prosecutor is decided not to prosecute these mo* *n ALT.
What a nonsense…
but,we japanese fired three mo**on ALT gaijin.
don’t come to Japan ever again,
sayonara!
youtube.com/watch?v=0v6t6-DmGPM
August 20th, 2009 at 08:24
My own similar experiences have been described here:
Police Raid
http://aonghascrowe.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/2-2-then-came-a-knock-at-the-door/
Life in a Japanese Jail:
http://aonghascrowe.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/cuckoo-cuckoo/