As a result, the United States has canceled visas of government officials and decertified the country as a drug partner. The drug policy in Japan is very influenced by the United States. After the war, the policy changed to mirror the United States policy, and in some cases, it is even more punitive than the United States system. With the United States and Japan engaging in an economic conflict including trade disputes, Japan increased the punitiveness for drug crimes, especially for the use of stimulants, to appease the United States government. Fines increased one and one-half to three times for cannabis and stimulants.
Japan believes that drug abuse is actually a health issue rather than a criminal issue.
Users are encouraged to seek treatment and rehabilitation. It is somewhat paradoxical that Japan has extreme penalties, mostly fines, and believes that drug abuse is a health issue, which must be solved through treatment. The harsh penalties are due to the perceptions of drug abuse in Japan by society. Drug abuse is a form of hedonism, so the hedonism is what is punished. The social view against drug use is what the cause, which reduces the drug use.