Toyota Head Of Public Relation Arrested For Illegally Importing Drugs

Toyota Motor Corp.'s head of public relations, an American and its first female top executive, was arrested Thursday on a suspected violation of Japan's drug laws for sending a painkiller through the mail, Tokyo police said.

Toyota Managing Officer and Chief Communications Officer Julie Hamp, who was appointed to her post in April, told police she did not think she had imported an illegal substance, a spokesman for Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department said.

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TheSteve - 6/18/2015 11:20:14 AM

+2 Boost

Before anyone starts lambasting her, I suggest you read the entire article, which includes "...Japan’s strict drug enforcement laws are often at odds with those of the United States. [In Japan] It is illegal to bring in even over-the-counter drugs common in the U.S., including such cold medicines as Sudafed or Actifed."

To *this* reader, this is a matter of "strange" Japanese laws rather than a businesswoman running a drug cartel.

FWIW, if you're in possession of chewing gum in Singapore, that's a crime. Seriously. Imagine the AutoSpies headlines: "Toyota Manager Arrested in Singapore for Trafficking Illegal Substances" (What actually happened: he was in possession of a case of chewing gum, and was giving packs to friends at the office.)

MDarringer - 6/18/2015 11:37:18 AM

-1 Boost

Before you let her so easily off the hook, sending ANY medicines through the mail in the USA is frowned on. She's a moron and deserves excoriation.

newuser2015june - 6/18/2015 1:36:45 PM

+1 Boost

You sounds typical of arrogant Anglo-saxons. When Americans or British citizens are arrested abroad, they blame the laws there and somehow blindly assume their citizens are innocent. This hasnt changed much from the time of colonism.

Let me tell you the facts. The suspect imported oxycodone which is an opioid and in almost all countries including US, its use is regulated by laws. The accusation of Japanese law being "strange" is even not factual, besides even if it is "strange" at all she should obey it.

By the way, what makes you believe American laws are better than Japanese ones?

MDarringer - 6/18/2015 2:07:48 PM

0 Boost

As I said, she deserves a pummeling.

nguyenvuminh - 6/18/2015 4:48:06 PM

+1 Boost

newuser2015june +1 I spent 10 years abroad and absolutely cringe whenever I see or hear Anglo-saxon tourists mock and treat local countries historic sites with such disrespect. Regardless of the law's severity or logic, it's their law and we're guests. And to be fair, I see Asian tourist groups that are loud and obnoxious as well but that's a matter of being rude, not cultural insulting.

ATrain - 6/20/2015 8:08:09 PM

+1 Boost

Julie Hemp?

ATrain - 6/20/2015 8:16:45 PM

+1 Boost

BTW, I believe the term Anglo-Saxons is misused here... Anglophones perhaps?

There are various explanations. Here's one in case you're interested.

https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Anglo-Saxons

Holydude - 6/25/2015 2:04:28 AM

+1 Boost

Race war!