certain things mailed to you

[Salty]

So, if she is innocent, she will be restored to her job?

Not likely..........

[kurogane]

I just have a problem with the SOP and 23day detention, especially after they already announced they had no plans to press charges.

Yeah, I kinda figgered that bit out afterwards, so sorry for the explosion. My problem is the shocking levels of ethnocentricity being shown by a bunch of people that should know better. The short answer to all the Fuck Japan! stuff above is: because that's the way they do shit. It's not particularly outrageous or draconian, it's just not American Justice!!!, which is such a Nigerian level charade people should know better. Any surprise is for Newbie Reporters Discovering Japan, like that cvntish conspiracy theory blogger linked above (Pesek???). I don't think much of the SOP and esp. the 23 days initial detention rule, but it's not news, and certainly not to you given your own experience. As you well know, if you're actually innocent you wouldn't be arrested anyways ( !!!!!!!!!). Sadly, that is a basic underlying sociocultural tenet of the system. The state is a moral agent (cf. http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/su ... ?format=PB), and must act and be seen to act to protect the moral propriety of the nation that serves it.

By holding her they have shown that this is a serious matter that has been thoroughly investigated, that it won't be tolerated regardless of the socioeconomic status of the perpetrator, and that anybody considering such activity is well warned, so we have both punishment and deterrence. They have shown that the justice system works fairly and equitably, and that it also has compassion and leniency. Given that she admitted they were hers, and initially that she had sent them to herself (to protect her Daddy, perhaps?) any notion that she has been railroaded is idiotic. She did it, she got done for it, and once the authorities were satisfied her actions were illegal but neither intentional nor nefarious, they decided not to charge her. And now, her career and perhaps mind in tatters, she will be released and sent home where she probably belongs: everybody wins, no egregious or undue harm done. Imagine the humanity and compassion an analogous foreign executive would have received in the states, both in the legal system and in the media, not to mention the domestic Jpn uproar if a case could have been made for favoritism of treatment.

So...........Yea, Japan is Good! ......................but hell, I am feeling so damn prescient and insightful, I'll offer this as a peace offering:

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Japan is Fucked!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How Dare they arrest and detain an (admitted) lawbreaker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS I suggest we avoid suggesting she is innocent because she won't be charged. She admitted to it and will be sent home without further punishment: IOW, Got Out of Jail Free. That is hardly David Milgaard level innocence.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Kuro,

Your reaction was weird because you said "the last 6 or so posts" when the only one that seemed anti-Japan in any way was Matsuki's. We already know his instinct to any story involving Japan is to immediately take an us-vs-them stance and whine about how stupid they are. I agree with him that 23-day detention without charges is wrong but this is hardly the case to highlight that issue. By the way, using the shittiness of the US "justice" system to defend the sittiness of Japan's sounds like something Takeapoo would do. Thought it's probably justified here as a reponse to Matsuki

As for Hamp's confession I'm not sure that we know what she admitted to. The reports in the news haven't exactly been consistent so it might be a case of the prosecutors taking mercy or it might be that they really didn't have enough evidence to take it to trial. My guess is it's a little bit of both.

[kurogane]

Sure. I apologised just above for the broad brush treatment (EDIT* I thought I did. Now I am). As for sounding Takeapoopy, I'm Cdn: once that breaker pops ........................kaboom! So, apology accepted I hope

Your take sounds more than reasonable enough, but allowing for some inconsistencies between reports and over time it has never been suggested she didn't send it or have it sent. I think the legal sticking point was the problem of intent (which amazed me), and her insistence that she "hadn't done anything illegal" (which goes to intent, maybe?). Anyways, I think it was a matter of charity extended and hands washed clean. As good a win as we could have hoped for in MYHOMO. Still, poor little Hampkus.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I think the legal sticking point was intent (which amazed me)

That's the nice side of the double-edged sword of the ambiguity of a lot of Japanese laws. A disturbed looking guy walking around with a kitchen knife in his belt gets arrested for possession of an illegal weapon and a psycho mass stabbing get stopped before it happens. Walking home from the store with the exact same knife in a shopping bag with a receipt. Explain to the police you just bought it for your kitchen and you're on your way. Of course that same ambiguity can lead to abuse.

[kurogane]

Nice example. I still don't get it in this case (or the continued use of that wording in the news): she admits the drugs were sent to her and were for her use, but according to news reports insists she has not done anything illegal. And yet, she has, because the item is restricted, and she admits to smuggling it, albeit without illegal intent. It's that obvious contradiction that sticks, but as you said it also provides a happy window to jump out of. At any rate, I am happy she seems to have skated without serious prison time. Her real penance begins when she finally gets off the plane at home.
She's Hamped.............

[Yokohammer]

All I can say is that I bet Toyota is heaving a sigh of relief.

[Samurai_Jerk]

It's that obvious contradiction that sticks

New to Japan, are you?

[kurogane]

Boooyakasha!!!!!!!!!!!!! I meant more in the reports and accounts than in fact or actuality or whatever, but hehehehe. I actually quite like their ability to live with 2 obviously contradictory truths, and it drives Matuski bonkers, so that's fun, too.

Reporter: But she has admitted to sending herself the drugs
Jpn POPO: Yes. This is a very serious offence. Yet we have no proof of criminal intent.
Reporter: BUT she admits she sent herself the drugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jpn POPO: Yes. This is a very serious offence which we are investigating thoroughly.

FACT: cognitive dissonance is rarely regarded as a potentially serious issue in Japanese psychiatry (according to my own Dr. Frasier Crane)

[Takechanpoo]

it might be a case of the prosecutors taking mercy or it might be that they really didn't have enough evidence to take it to trial.

in j-internet forums, comments something like "see, its just because of toyota' power. so she got tolerated! its unfair!!..etc" are seen alot.
either way, from the begging she had weak defence and didnt deserve to be an executive of one of representative j-companies.
everyone will forget her in a week.

[matsuki]

As for Hamp's confession I'm not sure that we know what she admitted to. The reports in the news haven't exactly been consistent so it might be a case of the prosecutors taking mercy or it might be that they really didn't have enough evidence to take it to trial. My guess is it's a little bit of both.

Kuro/SJ- I get what you're saying about slapping her on the wrist instead of a full on bitchslap with charges....but speaking from experience, you're giving them far too much credit for thought here. If they had found more oxy at her workplace or residence....or found any e-mails between her and her father, requesting he send the oxy, she wouldn't have been released without charges. My guess is her pops simply mailed the stuff to her without considering how serious the consequences could be and her attorney advised against making any public statements which would embarrass the authorities and assure her the max stay at ホテルカリフォルニア. No conspiracy theory or "us vs. them" mentality in there so not sure why it's being implied other than "because matsuki?" Most importantly though, if it was indeed her pops who mailed the stuff, then they just basically locked her up for 23 days, without evidence or charges, and basically forced her to resign from her job....for a crime that her pops committed? I say again, my issue with this shit isn't that I think she was treated differently due to race, nationality, position, etc...but rather that it's SOP to keep any person accused of a crime, locked up for 23 days without a reasonable amount of evidence to charge them with a specific crime.....and then to spit on someone further, to keep them locked up in detention even after it's been determined/announced that no charges will be filed. (at which point, it's no longer "detention" but the prosecutor being the biggest asshole the law will allow)

[Salty]

Matsuki, I do believe you have it described right. This system sucks if you haven`t done the crime and it permits police abuse. But it also ensures that the police have the best possible opportunity to find the evidence and charge those who did the crime, so does have some merit.

[kurogane]

Kuro/SJ- I get what you're saying about slapping her on the wrist instead of a full on bitchslap with charges....but speaking from experience, you're giving them far too much credit for thought here. If they had found more oxy at her workplace or residence....or found any e-mails between her and her father, requesting he send the oxy, she wouldn't have been released without charges.

Whyever in the name of Buddha would she have been? That would have showed she was a serious drug smuggling criminal. That's a crime. This isn't a Stalinist show trial; they are a soveriegn barbarian nation presumptuous enough to arrest AmeriKKKans for crimes they committed (even if they're AmeriKKKans!!!!!!!!!!), but it doesn't make them wrong. As for your guess, which is no better than mine but no worse, of course, my bet is that Dad stood up for his daughter. The inital reports said she mailed it to herself but rejected the idea she had done anything illegal because it was just painkillers that she just happend to conceal in a box full of costume jewelry marked necklaces. Babes in Toyland. Good Dad, btw. I would have if my daughter had left the hills and moved all the way to Chinaland to work for dem der Pearl Habrorites But yeah, goddamn them all to hell for arresting lawbreaking AmeriKKKans. And for speaking the Devil's Tongue (http://riosloggers-riodan.blogspot.ca/2 ... ongue.html). And for Chawanmushi, ftm. Fuck that shit's gross.

Take,
Interesting. I was wondering if the FookoHei hysterics would start. In Japanese terms, that's like saying Gun Kontrol to the same ilk of Americans. Hopfeully even the permanently impotent can see this solution at least saved some of the tax money they don't make enough to pay. Win Win.

[matsuki]

it also ensures that the police have the best possible opportunity to find the evidence and charge those who did the crime

Yep...which is why, if they don't find anything, in all likelihood the person they arrested is either innocent or smart enough to have left nothing to incriminate themselves. In this case, she doesn't come across as the latter and since the only way she could be charged is if she sent them to herself....the no brainer would be to fingerprint her (SOP) and check for her fingerprints on the package. If that didn't turn up anything, the didn't have shit on her. Of course, while they already got her locked up, search her residence and workplace....and if that turns up anything, like a request for the stuff to be sent to her or some oxy she doesn't have a prescription for, she can be charged. They didn't charge her...meaning they didn't find shit...so yeah, while it sounded like she was a junkie exec from the leaked info (and I would have been totally cool with her getting rammed through the courts here if that was the case) it seems like the police/prosecutors done fucked up...and fucked her out of a job and 23 days of her life. Nothing to do with her nationality.

*side note: besides ruining their "performance" rating, the other reason prosecutors won't take cases they aren't sure to win is the accused has to be compensated for the imprisonment....not the case for the 23 days of detention though.

[kurogane]

They didn't charge her...meaning they didn't find shit....

Dr. McCoy, your option doesn't work logically and is inconsistent with the news reports to date: I'm pretty sure the dope found in the package marked "necklaces" was found in her possession, and she has not disputed she sent it or had it sent, so that's a pretty big pile of doggy doo on her ample forehead. I think I said it before, but I will go with Option B: they let her off because it was the right, or decent, or expedient thing to do. Can you imagine the backroom pressure the LDP MPs and lackeys must have been subject to from Toyota???? She was guilty of what she got caught with but they let her off because that was all they found, she didn't mean to be a bad girl, and she works for Toyota. Anyways, that's the one I am sticking with unless we get more info. This idea that she was truly innocent or railroaded or that the cops fucked it up is conspiracy theory territory (and again, given the news reports to date). The dumb junkie F'edUp so royally it's comical, she got what she deserved, and Japan wins again. They do modern industrial society better. Get used to it.

[Russell]

The dumb junkie F'edUp so royally it's comical, she got what she deserved, and Japan wins again. They do modern industrial society better. Get used to it.

?!?

[Samurai_Jerk]

Seriously, Matsuki? Unless her father sent the package without her knowledge how could she be completely innocent?

[Taro Toporific]

The Kennedy touch: Ambassador helps Toyota exec go free
U.S. ambassador to Japan played an active role in helping Julie Hamp, an official said.
USA TODAY 2:46 p.m. EDT July 8, 2015
Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, helped secure former Toyota executive Julie Hamp's release from jail after the automaker's global communications chief became entangled in a drug case, an American official with direct knowledge of the discussions told USA TODAY.
Hamp, who was arrested on suspicion that she illegally imported prescription drugs into the country, was released Wednesday after Japanese prosecutors decided not to press charges. She immediately jumped on a plane to return to the U.S.
Kennedy's active role in the case — which was not previously disclosed —- involved advising Toyota officials and discussing the matter with Japanese authorities, said the official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of such international diplomacy issues.
More...

[kurogane]

?!?

Well, not better than you guys ya silly, but certainly the best of the rapacious global capitalist imperialist types.

Good to hear the Trophy Girl is doing her job. She helped get Duckface Girl off too. Good work.

[Russell]

The Kennedy touch: Ambassador helps Toyota exec go free
U.S. ambassador to Japan played an active role in helping Julie Hamp, an official said.
USA TODAY 2:46 p.m. EDT July 8, 2015
Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, helped secure former Toyota executive Julie Hamp's release from jail after the automaker's global communications chief became entangled in a drug case, an American official with direct knowledge of the discussions told USA TODAY.
Hamp, who was arrested on suspicion that she illegally imported prescription drugs into the country, was released Wednesday after Japanese prosecutors decided not to press charges. She immediately jumped on a plane to return to the U.S.
Kennedy's active role in the case — which was not previously disclosed —- involved advising Toyota officials and discussing the matter with Japanese authorities, said the official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of such international diplomacy issues.
More...

Let's just hope now that the ambassador doesn't get "certain things mailed to her"...

[Wage Slave]

Seriously, Matsuki? Unless her father sent the package without her knowledge how could she be completely innocent?

Exactly. It's one of those "We have judged it's not in the public interest to pursue this prosecution" decisions. Her status, Toyota's status, the US ambassador and the fact she agreed to jump straight on a plane never to return all played a part.

If you or I pulled the same stunt it could be very different.

[matsuki]

Seriously, Matsuki? Unless her father sent the package without her knowledge how could she be completely innocent?

Exactly. It's one of those "We have judged it's not in the public interest to pursue this prosecution" decisions. Her status, Toyota's status, the US ambassador and the fact she agreed to jump straight on a plane never to return all played a part.

If you or I pulled the same stunt it could be very different.

I'm not saying there is zero possibility she's guilty of wanting to abuse the stuff or anything like that but based on what we've seen, even if the package was sent with her knowledge, the offender for importing the stuff would be the father unless they could show she paid for it or something along those lines. They confiscated the package before delivery so it's not like they could nail her for possession either. I also highly doubt the police/prosecutors would be or were swayed by Toyota or Kennedy. The detectives searched her office in Toyota, yeah? That's not bending to Toyota's pleas. They held her for the maximum detention possible so it seems silly that either would take any credit for her "release" unless there is some pretty damning evidence we've just not heard about...but like I've been saying, if they had found something like that to convict her, they wouldn't have released her. (though I'm not really trying to defend this cunt as much as say the detention period is unreasonably long and is not used as it's defined)

As to the you or I pulling the same stunt, remember the Adderall doofus and her mother? The one who actually did post the stuff to herself from Korea? She was released without charges, though I think that had more to do with her actually having a prescription for the stuff.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Matsuki, you don't seem to have a grasp of basic legal principles. Even if she's not a junky and had a legitimate reason (at least by American medical standards) for wanting the Oxy, she still broke the law if she knew the package was being sent. It's possible they dropped the charges because they couldn't prove she knew and it's also possible they dropped the charges because they didn't think it was worth pursuing. And if you think cops and prosecutors can't be influenced by Toyota or Ambassador Kennedy not to mention potentially Japanese politicians, you're living in la-la land.

[Takechanpoo]

Sakae Komori, a lawyer who frequently handles drug-related cases, said it’s difficult to figure out why someone is charged or not charged. Suspects with smaller amounts of the same drug have been charged, he said.

“This is seen as a very serious crime in Japan,” he said, acknowledging that the decision may invite allegations of unfairness. “Perhaps the authorities see her as already facing enough social punishment, and she was not judged a drug abuser.”

Toyota is such a powerful company in Japan that anything it does, or anything that happens to it, can be seen as setting a precedent.

Komori said Hamp’s resignation from Toyota could have helped in winning her release.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crim ... y#comments

i think this is roughly depicted how and what j-majority thinks about this incident.

[matsuki]

Matsuki, you don't seem to have a grasp of basic legal principles. Even if she's not a junky and had a legitimate reason (at least by American medical standards) for wanting the Oxy, she still broke the law if she knew the package was being sent. It's possible they dropped the charges because they couldn't prove she knew and it's also possible they dropped the charges because they didn't think it was worth pursuing.

It's as you say, it's illegal to import the drug, regardless of the reason/intent. Where have I argued otherwise? As to who can be held accountable (charged for importing illegal drugs) for drugs like this sent from overseas, the sender, the courier service (yeah, it's happened for this specific category of crime...ask UPS)...but a recipient that wasn't also the sender and didn't order the drugs online and didn't pack the package herself being charged because they were aware of what was sent to them? That's a stretch dude. Keep in mind an international parcel will be accompanied by paperwork that details the senders info and contact info. If the contents were fudged, like has been reported, the sender may face legal consequences for that but I think it would be pretty obvious who the sender was based on that paperwork and the stamps in her passport. No pops falling on his sword for her or her taking the blame for her father.

There's no article on this but years ago, someone I know had allergy meds sent to them here in Japan...the meds contained psuedoephenedrine, yet another "controlled substance" in Japan that's available OTC in the US. The friend was contacted by the authorities, hey gave consent to destroy the OTC meds and that was the end of it. No questioning, no arrest, nothing. The main difference here is how the oxy was concealed and it's totally reasonable that was worth investigating and they drag the recipient in for some questioning...even make an arrest if they think she was also the sender...but once they search her home, workplace, and decide she wasn't the sender, there's nothing to charge her with. Pretty simple, no conspiracy theories or intervention from Toyota or Kennedy. Like I keep repeating though, what irks me is the whole locked up for 23 days as SOP...even after the authorities have announced to the media that no indictment will happen.

And if you think cops and prosecutors can't be influenced by Toyota or Ambassador Kennedy not to mention potentially Japanese politicians, you're living in la-la land.

Would be the prosecutors after she was already arrested...and while I agree that type of shit definitely happened in the past, I don't see it coming into play like it used to. The full detention period she was locked up for doesn't indicate they had any influence unless you're suggesting they found her oxy stash and chose to ignore it because Toyota/Kennedy. I find that hard to believe. Anyhow, we may never know for sure since it seems like the details of everything may remain sealed. (though I'm curious if she will make a statement once in the states)

[kurogane]

she still broke the law if she knew the package was being sent.

Indeed. Well argued. Matuski, you're pooping out your keyboard. SHE WAS GUILTY. She conspired to import restricted narcotics in some manner.

Wasn't there a JET or ESL or 2 done a few years back? One in Shimane for mailing himself some Whambambalooba and another one because his friend at home thought it would be really funny and cool to send him some of same without the recipient's knowledge. I think they both got sent home. All the latter guy was guilty of was having a a stoopid friend, but he was still in possession. Nothing that has been reported suggests anything but her being an admitted criminal druggie smuggler, and lucky as hell for getting off so light. Given what she did 23 days is Christmas in February. Speculate all you want, but at least put it in big scarlet letters so we know.

[Samurai_Jerk]

It's as you say, it's illegal to import the drug, regardless of the reason/intent. Where have I argued otherwise? As to who can be held accountable (charged for importing illegal drugs) for drugs like this sent from overseas, the sender, the courier service (yeah, it's happened for this specific category of crime...ask UPS)...but a recipient that wasn't also the sender and didn't order the drugs online and didn't pack the package herself being charged because they were aware of what was sent to them? That's a stretch dude.

Which part is a stretch? That they could prove she had knowledge or that they would nail her for having the knowledge if they could prove it? The receiver can certainly be held accountable even if they never let her take possession of the package.

[matsuki]

Which part is a stretch? That they could prove she had knowledge or that they would nail her for having the knowledge if they could prove it? The receiver can certainly be held accountable even if they never let her take possession of the package.

I forgot about the case Kuro mentioned where some dude's friend mailed him something without his knowledge and he still was charged/convicted....so my argument is pointless, guilty even if you had no knowledge of what was sent to you. TIJ

[Samurai_Jerk]

Which part is a stretch? That they could prove she had knowledge or that they would nail her for having the knowledge if they could prove it? The receiver can certainly be held accountable even if they never let her take possession of the package.

I forgot about the case Kuro mentioned where some dude's friend mailed him something without his knowledge and he still was charged/convicted....so my argument is pointless, guilty even if you had no knowledge of what was sent to you. TIJ

Your argument has been pointless all along. Either that or you weren't stating it clearly.

[matsuki]

I'll vote for the later...busy as fuck preparing for an event this weekend.

Apparently the prosecutors released a "document"...

In a brief document accompanying her release Wednesday, prosecutors said Hamp and her father together sent the package from the United States to Japan. The statement said the tablets were "hidden" inside the package.

Local news media reported earlier that Hamp had told police that she needed the pills for knee pain and that she was not aware that she had violated Japanese law.

"Sent the package together"

"not aware that she had violated Japanese law"