Tokyo International News Agency

European investigative agency Bellingcat announced on the 7th that its analysis revealed a Chinese organization involved in the smuggling of the synthetic opioid fentanyl had established a base in Japan. This base was reportedly incorporated in Nagoya City and served as an operational hub directing the collection, distribution, and financial management of dangerous drugs. According to Bellingcat's investigation, evidence was found indicating that this Japanese corporation and the Chinese organization "are part of the same international drug trafficking network and are effectively the same entity." In the United States, deaths from fentanyl-related overdoses have rapidly surged, becoming such a severe social issue that it's referred to as a "new Opium War." The fact that Japan was exploited as a transit point for such international smuggling routes has caused significant ripples both domestically and internationally. On X (formerly Twitter), widespread shock ...

On the 7th, Bellingcat, a European investigative organization, released an analysis report stating that a Chinese organization engaged in the illicit export of the synthetic opioid fentanyl to the United States had established a base in Japan. This base was reportedly registered as a corporation in Nagoya City and functioned as an 'operations hub' for the collection, distribution, and financial management of dangerous drugs. Japan Integrated into International Drug Smuggling Routes According to reports, this Chinese organization appears to have been using Japan as a transit point for fentanyl smuggling. There have been previous incidents, such as the discovery of a large quantity of fentanyl raw materials in Mexico in 2020 from ship cargo that passed through Yokohama Port. The latest allegation from the European investigative agency further substantiates the potential for Japan's deep involvement in international drug smuggling networks. Concerns for Japanese Authorities an...