Originally Posted by
bigcurl254
Hi there, in my younger and much dumber days I was arrested for possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia. I have been sober and on the straight and narrow for about 9 years now. I recently had the charges expunged from my record and wish to visit Japan. Everything I have read says that the will not allow people with drug charges into the country no matter what. Theoretically if I have the charges expunged they should be unable to see the arrest. I am wondering if anyone else has been to Japan and successfully entered that has a drug charge that they also had expunged. Just to give me a little piece of mind before I chuck a couple of thousand down on flights. On a side note. I also have about 10 more misdemeanor convictions, all of them minor and alcohol related. From what I read they should not effect my entry but who knows. Any response would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not sure if you were convicted in the case of your pot/drug deal. If you were arrested and charged but not convicted, then at least you don't have to answer "yes" to the question on the landing form where they ask you if you've ever been found guilty of a crime anywhere. Although I'm not an expert or have any inside info, my guess is that answering "no" to all the questions on the landing form is a good bet that your entry is safe.
But the above expunged arrest is a moot point in this regard, because of your 10 other convictions. You are going to have to answer "yes" just for that. And then that will be your red flag right there. I don't know what happens at TYO when you answer "yes" to the past conviction question. Is it an automatic secondary screening? What's the chance you're denied entry? I don't know.
Because your past dictates that you have to answer "yes" to that question which makes your entry shaky, I would recommend you contact Japanese consulate for their advice.