Cannabis Arrests in Hiroshima Prefecture Hit Record High, Over 70% Under 30

Cannabis-related arrests in Hiroshima Prefecture reached a record 136 people last year, with more than 70% of those arrested under the age of 30, according to figures reported at a prefectural meeting on drug enforcement and addiction countermeasures held last month with national and prefectural agencies.

The rise mirrors a national trend: cannabis arrests across Japan hit a record 6,832 people in 2025, a jump of 754 from the previous year, with people in their teens and twenties accounting for over 70% of cases nationwide, according to National Police Agency data.

Hiroshima officials also flagged growing concern over “zombie cigarettes” — vapes or cigarettes laced with etomidate, a regulated sedative. The issue drew local attention after a former Hiroshima Toyo Carp player was arrested this past January on suspicion of using the substance. Following that arrest, the prefecture added drug consultation contact information to its website, which has so far received two inquiries.

A prefectural drug affairs official attributed the rise partly to misinformation spreading online — claims that cannabis is non-addictive or harmless — and said the prefecture plans to step up awareness campaigns targeting young people via social media.

Sources: TSS News, National Police Agency data via Nikkei