The Final Victory
- posted by Michael @ 9:12 PM

Just when Vice Squad is (was?) about to give up, the victory in the War on Drugs is apparently at hand. We may be sorry it didn't take place in the homeland of the world's leading warrior, but I, for one, am happy it's finally over. According to gazeta.ru (in Russian) for several days now, the Japanese customs authorities have been holding a Russian freighter "Valery Kuz'min" in the port of Minamata. The police took the passports and cell phones of the 26-person crew and have confined the sailors to the ship, which is being guarded by about 50 policemen. The investigation is ongoing. All this started on June 10 when the customs officals discovered a suspicious bag in the ship's toilet. The preliminary analysis has determined that the bag contained almost 300 grams of marijuana. That's right, these must have been the last 300 grams that had to be apprehended for the complete and final Victory. (No wonder nothing was found in those school lockers in Pennsylvania.) The Russians claim they have no idea how the bag got onto the ship. But I don't care. I am happy Vice Squad and I have lived to see the day. As for all of this happening in Japan, I don't mind too much. Our homeland has had it's share of glory in the War on Drugs, for example, in the recent medicinal marijuana decision. On to glorious victories in our numerous other Wars! Cheers.

Labels: Japan, marijuana, Russia

 
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
- posted by Jim Leitzel @ 4:08 PM

A comic book store in Rome, Georgia, took part in a Halloween event in which comic books were distributed for free. At this point, we pick up with the description from the press release of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund:

..."Alternative Comics #2," the Free Comic Book Day edition from publisher Alternative Comics for 2004, was inadvertently included in the mix of books being disseminated. The comic features a variety of stories from the company's line, including an excerpt from Nick Bertozzi's "The Salon" depicting the first meeting between Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. On three pages of the eight page section, Picasso is depicted in the nude, a factually accurate detail for the period during which the story is set. There is no sexual content in the story. The comic was inadvertently distributed to a minor, whose parent filed a complaint with the police. The age and identity of the minor are unknown. Days later, Gordon Lee, the owner [of the comic book store], was arrested.

Now he faces charges that could bring him a few years in jail.

There's something about comics that brings out the obscenity police -- even in Japan.

Labels: Japan, obscenity

 
Japan Next to Ratify WHO Tobacco Treaty?
- posted by Jim Leitzel @ 5:35 PM

The global tobacco control agreement (pdf version here, 23 pages) worked out by the World Health Organization will come into effect when 40 of the 91 countries who have signed it also ratify it. So far, nine have done so, and Japan appears to be headed to be number 10. The treaty looks to reduce smoking and exposure to smoke through a variety of means, including taxes, packaging regulations, and advertising controls.

Labels: Japan, smoking, tobacco, WHO