Friend arrested.

[etto_neh]

Hi guys. I just wanted to put this out there to see if anyone can help with any info. I've scanned around, but haven't come up with any specific information that doesn't seem dated. (a la debito.org).

Anyway- The executive summary: A truly fucked gaijin friend of mine/co-worker was arrested within the last month for receiving a little weed in the mail. Not smart, I know.

I have no way of contacting his wife, who is Japanese. Basically, I want to find out where he's being held, and visit him for some moral support. He speaks Japanese quite well, I do not. I've read online that, if I *were* able to find/visit him, we would have to speak Japanese only. Is this true?

So my questions are:

*Is there an easy way to find out where he is being held?
*What, generally speaking, are the rules about visitation? Can I help him out with some cash/smokes/food?
*Would his country's embassy be able to help with info, and/or help him in any way? (Canadian.)

Thank you all for any info you would be able to share. He's a great guy who has helped me out quite a bit in the past. He's even co-authored a couple of books on the Japanese language. Smart guy who just made a mistake.[/list]

[mr. sparkle]

I think that Steve Bilderman would be the man to ask about this one. Steve...your ears on?

[FG Lurker]

I don't know if the embassy/consulate will give you information or not, but it doesn't hurt to try. Chances are they know where he is.

As for speaking Japanese in visits, I think this is correct. However, as with most things in Japan "it depends" is probably a better answer. If there is an English speaking guard posted then English conversation might be permitted.

If you know where he is from in Canada and his full name you might try looking for his family in Canada. They probably know what's going on too.

[veracotti]

*Speaking Japanese? It depends on the place. As he was nicked within the last month, he is likely still in police detention. Often there are no English-speaking guards there so the conversations have to be in Japanese. In any case, just take someone to translate and it shouldn't be a problem.

*Where is he? His embassy will have been contacted and they will know where he is. Unlikely they will give out this info to non-family members out of privacy concerns. If your friend has requested it, the embassy will contact his family.

*Cash/Food/Etc.. Generally, you can hand over cash for the detainee to use to make purchases from the store. If he's in a big place like the TDC you can buy stuff from the store yourself to get sent in. You cannot give food or drink purchased from the outside.

Go visit the Nick Baker people's forum. They have lots of this kind of info:

http://www.justicefornickbaker.org

[nullpointer]

I've read online that, if I *were* able to find/visit him, we would have to speak Japanese only. Is this true?

So my questions are:

*Is there an easy way to find out where he is being held?
*What, generally speaking, are the rules about visitation? Can I help him out with some cash/smokes/food?
*Would his country's embassy be able to help with info, and/or help him in any way? (Canadian.)

Thank you all for any info you would be able to share. He's a great guy who has helped me out quite a bit in the past. He's even co-authored a couple of books on the Japanese language. Smart guy who just made a mistake.[/list]

Sometime ago I was browing in a bookstore and came across this book (In English and Japanese)" Rights of foreigners in japan". IIRC, you will be able to speak japanese only if there is no interpreter. No, you cannot take your interpreter. It has to be a court appointed one. You will have to take an appointment before you go to meet him. Make sure no-one else is planning to visit that day because they usually allow only one visit a day. You may give him cash limited to a max extent of JPY 10,000.

Again, this is from a book I read some time ago. Your mileage may vary.

[cstaylor]

Anyway- The executive summary: A truly fucked gaijin friend of mine/co-worker was arrested within the last month for receiving a little weed in the mail. Not smart, I know.

Now, wait a minute, how can he get arrested for receiving weed in the mail? Isn't that like receiving an unsolicited kiddy porn FAX from some nutjob and then getting arrested?

[oyajikun]

Anyway- The executive summary: A truly fucked gaijin friend of mine/co-worker was arrested within the last month for receiving a little weed in the mail. Not smart, I know.

Now, wait a minute, how can he get arrested for receiving weed in the mail? Isn't that like receiving an unsolicited kiddy porn FAX from some nutjob and then getting arrested?

I wish it was not incriminating to recieve contraband! "Whatever you do,, do not send me any sticky icky in the next package that you send by false return address."

[nullpointer]

Anyway- The executive summary: A truly fucked gaijin friend of mine/co-worker was arrested within the last month for receiving a little weed in the mail. Not smart, I know.

Now, wait a minute, how can he get arrested for receiving weed in the mail? Isn't that like receiving an unsolicited kiddy porn FAX from some nutjob and then getting arrested?

This is really ridiculous. What's to stop someone from framing an FG by sending him some weed? this is BULLSHIT! What if someone sends weed from Beijing to blinky. Will he be arrested too then?

[veracotti]

IIRC, you will be able to speak japanese only if there is no interpreter. No, you cannot take your interpreter. It has to be a court appointed one. You will have to take an appointment before you go to meet him.

You are confusing this with a courtroom appearance, where the translator has to be court-appointed. Any old T,D&H can go translate on a visit.

You will have to take an appointment before you go to meet him.

Incorrect.

[Captain Japan]

Anyway- The executive summary: A truly fucked gaijin friend of mine/co-worker was arrested within the last month for receiving a little weed in the mail. Not smart, I know.

Now, wait a minute, how can he get arrested for receiving weed in the mail? Isn't that like receiving an unsolicited kiddy porn FAX from some nutjob and then getting arrested?

Kelley Deal of the Breeders got arrested for receiving a courier shipment of heroin in '95 (maybe '94). I think the point of incrimination was that she signed for it. Now, as to how the law works as far as knowing what is inside the package I don't know. And I also don't know what the law is in Japan; the Deal deal happened in the US.

[etto_neh]

Thank you all for your replies thus far. I'll contact that Canadian consulate as soon as possible. I don't have my hopes up as far as them releasing his personal info, but we'll see. Part of the problem in contacting any family members in CA through a brute-force approach is that he has one of the most common surnames possible... rhymes with 'with'.

Hopefully I would be able to arrange an interpreter setup if I can visit. The wife is willing to help too.

Oh, and veracotti, thanks for the link, but it only goes to a page with a single photo.

Thanks again everyone....
-- G.

[dingosatemybaby]

First names rhymes with "pictured"?

-dingo
-looking at his old Japanese texts
-had to think hard to come up with a rhyming word for what he thinks is the hapless Canadian guy's name

[cstaylor]

[quote="Captain Japan"]Kelley Deal of the Breeders got arrested for receiving a courier shipment of heroin in '95 (maybe '94). I think the point of incrimination was that she signed for it. Now, as to how the law works as far as knowing what is inside the package I don't know. And I also don't know what the law is in Japan]Was she convicted, or just arrested?

[samuraiwig]

Now, wait a minute, how can he get arrested for receiving weed in the mail? Isn't that like receiving an unsolicited kiddy porn FAX from some nutjob and then getting arrested?

Indeed. But an acquaintance of mine in Tokyo 4-5 years ago got the same rap. Turned out she'd been getting friends in Canada to mail her wacky backy addressed to the previous FG to have lived in her apartment. She thought that would cover her, but she got deported.

[etto_neh]

... maybe I'm naive here, but, he's married to a Japanese girl. I assume he's on a spousal visa. If so, would that make it more difficult to deport him? I'm here on a spousal visa as well, and have now become much more concerned about what rights I have here. (And no, I've had nothing so much as weed in the last 10 years.)

Man- That makes me sounds as though I'm only thinking of myself. But no. I would be affording real legal advice right now if I could (which, the j-bar seems willing to give, with a translator, for 5K JPY/hour) but... well.

[FG Lurker]

... maybe I'm naive here, but, he's married to a Japanese girl. I assume he's on a spousal visa. If so, would that make it more difficult to deport him? I'm here on a spousal visa as well, and have now become much more concerned about what rights I have here. (And no, I've had nothing so much as weed in the last 10 years.)

I'm basically talking out my ass with this since I have no hard info to back it up, but no, I don't think a spouse visa will stop you getting deported. Permanent Residence might though.

[sillygirl]

I know a few someones who got done for the same thing.

No spouse visa case: imprisonment for 3 months. Deported

Spouse visa case: imprisonment for 6 months. No deportation.

I'm pretty sure it's a case by case thing, typical Japan. Sorry can't be of any other help........

[Buraku]

I've read online that, if I *were* able to find/visit him, we would have to speak Japanese only. Is this true?

So my questions are:

*Is there an easy way to find out where he is being held?
*What, generally speaking, are the rules about visitation? Can I help him out with some cash/smokes/food?
*Would his country's embassy be able to help with info, and/or help him in any way? (Canadian.)

Thank you all for any info you would be able to share. He's a great guy who has helped me out quite a bit in the past. He's even co-authored a couple of books on the Japanese language. Smart guy who just made a mistake.[/list]

Sometime ago I was browing in a bookstore and came across this book (In English and Japanese)" Rights of foreigners in japan". IIRC, you will be able to speak japanese only if there is no interpreter. No, you cannot take your interpreter. It has to be a court appointed one. You will have to take an appointment before you go to meet him. Make sure no-one else is planning to visit that day because they usually allow only one visit a day. You may give him cash limited to a max extent of JPY 10,000.

Again, this is from a book I read some time ago. Your mileage may vary.

Hopefully it won't be as bad as Arjang Mehrpooran an Iranian who died from a blood clot in the arteries numerous small injuries and wounds, severe internal hemorrhaging and bruises on several places on his lower abdomen seemed to suggest that Mehrpooran was a murder victim of Japanese police brutality.

Or the Thai man who died after falling unconscious in a detention cell at a police station here where he was being detained for failing to carry his passport, the J-cops said they are unsure of whether there are any links between his death and restraints put on his body.

[FG Lurker]

I know a few someones who got done for the same thing.

No spouse visa case: imprisonment for 3 months. Deported

Spouse visa case: imprisonment for 6 months. No deportation.

Interesting. Are you sure it was a spouse visa and not permanent residence?

[This is a pen]

etto_neh

I am not sure if they would let him wear it, but..........
I am thinking we should should all chip in and buy him one.

[Maths Dude]

You do the crime, you do the time. One less FG in the country all the better.

[GuyJean]

One less FG in the country all the better.

Opinions are rarely helpful when searching for facts, especially when they're based on fear..

GJ

[aquamarine]

True GuyJean, but by the same token, what was he doing having buddies sending him weed?

That's not exactly 'smart' when you can go to Dogenzawa and buy any number of (ahem) "LEGAL DRUGS" from the vendors on the street.

[Maths Dude]

I hope he rots in jail, most gaijins in Japan are rejects anyway.

[nullpointer]

True GuyJean, but by the same token, what was he doing having buddies sending him weed?

That's not exactly 'smart' when you can go to Dogenzawa and buy any number of (ahem) "LEGAL DRUGS" from the vendors on the street.

I would second GJ's statement. The guy is not trying to justify/explain his friend's behaviour. He just wants to know how to contact his friend. The guy just wants information, is all.

[GuyJean]

True GuyJean, but by the same token, what was he doing having buddies sending him weed?

Maybe he was going to sell it on the street?

Neither I nor etto_neh are defending his actions. In fact, in the first post he writes.

A truly fucked gaijin friend of mine/co-worker was arrested within the last month for receiving a little weed in the mail. Not smart, I know.

Then goes on the ask sincere questions.. Too bad the thread devolved into tiny little opinions..

GJ

[FG Lurker]

I hope he rots in jail, most gaijins in Japan are rejects anyway.

A lot of people in any place you go are rejects. Gaijin in Japan are on average no more or less so.

[oyajikun]

I hope he rots in jail, most gaijins in Japan are rejects anyway.

Oi, I resemble that remark!

[Samurai_Jerk]

I hope he rots in jail, most gaijins in Japan are rejects anyway.

A lot of people in any place you go are rejects. Gaijin in Japan are on average no more or less so.

Come on FGL, tell the truth.

[FG Lurker]

I hope he rots in jail, most gaijins in Japan are rejects anyway.

A lot of people in any place you go are rejects. Gaijin in Japan are on average no more or less so.

Come on FGL, tell the truth.

Maybe we should start "Rejects Anonymous"! "Hello, my name is Math's Dude and I am a reject."