Japan on the Record

In this episode, Dr. Kadia (Colorado) locates the historical origins of Japan's strict anti-drug laws in Meiji-era nation-building, discussing the role narcotics played in Japan's image of itself as a modern nation, Japanese imperialism in China, and the postwar criminal underworld.

Show Notes

For background stories on recent high-profile drug arrests, see:
- Sawajiri Erika arrest story: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/11/19/national/crime-legal/actress-erika-sawajiri-allegedly-admits-taking-illegal-drugs-10-years/
- Kan a.k.a. GAMI arrest story: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200507/p2a/00m/0na/004000c

What is Japan on the Record?

The podcast where scholars of Japanese studies bring their expertise to bear on issues in the news. Hosted and produced by Tristan R. Grunow, Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Japanese History at Pacific University.