American playwright and actor Jeremy O Harris has been arrested in Japan on suspicion of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. The writer, famed for the Tony award-nominated production Slave Play, was detained last month at an airport in Okinawa.
Details of the Airport Arrest
The incident occurred on 16 November at Naha airport on Okinawa island. According to a spokesperson for Okinawa regional customs, a routine inspection led to the discovery of 0.78 grams of a crystalline substance in Harris's tote bag. The substance was later confirmed to contain the synthetic narcotic MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.
Harris, who is 36, was immediately arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s stringent Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act. Officials stated he had arrived in Okinawa for sightseeing, having travelled from Britain with a layover in Taiwan. Okinawa is a popular resort destination located roughly 1,500km south-west of Tokyo.
Legal Proceedings and Custody Status
Local customs officials formally filed a criminal accusation with the regional prosecutor’s office on Thursday, initiating formal charging proceedings against the playwright. A police official in Tomigusuku, a city in southern Okinawa, confirmed that Harris remains in custody.
The official declined to comment on whether Harris has admitted to the allegations. At this time, it is unclear if the playwright has legal representation in Japan, and his representatives have not responded to requests for comment.
Japan's Strict Drug Laws and Precedents
Japan enforces some of the toughest narcotics regulations among developed nations. Possession or smuggling of even small quantities of illegal substances typically leads to criminal prosecution and can result in severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.
While punishments are not as extreme as in some other Asian nations like China or Singapore, where drug offences can carry the death penalty, convictions are taken very seriously. The arrest serves as a stark reminder of the risks for travellers. In recent years, other foreigners have faced similar charges, including former Australian rugby league player Blake Ferguson in December 2021. In a famous historical case, former Beatle Paul McCartney was arrested in Japan in 1980 for marijuana possession and was banned from entering the country for years.
Jeremy O Harris is also known for his acting role in Emily in Paris and for his work as a producer on the hit HBO drama series Euphoria.
