South Korean Man, 57, Arrested for Methamphetamine Possession After Officers Grew Suspicious of His Behavior at His Own 110 Call
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
Shizuoka Prefectural Police announced on October 1, 2026 that they had arrested an unemployed 57-year-old South Korean national on suspicion of violating the Stimulants Control Act through possession. According to Shizuoka Broadcasting System (SBS), the man is accused of possessing roughly 0.1 grams of methamphetamine at his home in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, on August 14, 2026.
The case came to light after the man himself placed an emergency call to police over an unrelated matter. Officers who responded grew suspicious of his behavior and searched his belongings, then searched his home in Atami City, where roughly 0.1 grams of methamphetamine was found. The man was living in Atami City at the time of the alleged offense but had since moved to Nakamura Ward, Nagoya.
Current status: Police have not disclosed whether the man has admitted to the allegation, and are investigating whether he committed other offenses and how he obtained the drug. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.