Is Fentanyl Spreading in Japan? ─ What is Happening in Japan, a Stronghold of Drug Enforcement, in the Era of Synthetic Drugs

Japan Today's Kuchikomi section has raised an alarm, warning that the abuse of drugs containing fentanyl could potentially expand in Japan. The article's headline suggests that the overseas drug crisis is becoming less of a "distant problem." On the other hand, the Japanese government has explained that there have been no instances of fentanyl seizures at the country's borders from 2019 to 2024, indicating that strict regulations and prescription monitoring are functioning effectively. However, in Southeast Asia, the supply of synthetic drugs is at an all-time high, and distribution channels are diversifying. On social media, there is a mix of caution about "avoiding the same fate as the United States" and counterarguments that "Japan's system is robust." There are also prominent calls for the appropriate management of prescription narcotics and the balance of palliative care. What Japan needs is not the amplification of fear, but rather early warning systems, misinformation countermeasures, education, testing frameworks, and strengthened prescription monitoring.