Julie Hamp arrested for importing oxycodone; later released
 

As predicted.

[mod note: original title was "Importing Oxycodone will Get You Arrested (but Not Charged)"]

Correct title should be Importing Oxycodene will Get Julie Hamp Arrested (but Not Charged)

This guy, who presumably had less money and connections, got convicted with a suspended sentence just last week.

http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLAS...5A630C1CC1000/

Also, while it's not a plea bargain per se (as she was never charged with a crime), I have to believe that she was "compelled" to resign in exchange for that favor, a luxury that most of us couldn't afford to do. Why else would she quit before any charges were filed?

You are likely correct. I strongly suspect that the prosecutors cut a deal with Toyota to make this go away in return for her "going away." "Quit and leave Japan and we won't prosecute."

We will probably never know exactly what happened. The government will be calling this a win. In way, it is. She spent weeks in custody and will be out of their hair without the need for a trial. Japanese "justice" at its finest.

The little guy who didn't have a major corporation in his corner wouldn't have gotten that kind of deal.

Besides her time in custody, the net result for her will probably be a demotion. I bet she goes back to America and reapplies for her previous old job at Toyota. What's to stop her? It's not like she has a criminal record or anything.

Toyota named this person as Ms. Hamp's replacement:

http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/1439584

Another triumph for diversity!

I've edited the thread title to reflect that this is about the arrest and release of Julie Hamp. Please keep the discussion on-topic -- broader political discussions will be moved to OMNI or OMNI/PR. Thanks!

- armagebedar
Japan forum moderator

The reason Julie Hamp did not get prosecuted is because she did not give in and confess to the bullying tactics of the Japanese kempeitai police.

As for Toyota, I'm sure her severance package was the best thing that ever happened to her. No way she'll go back to Toyota.

you can say that again...hell, at least promote a Japanese women....:confused:

There's a big thread somewhere on FT where this case has been discussed. It might be under Travel Security or it might be in Travel News.

Well, McDonalds Japan's foreign female CEO isn't doing so hot either. Maybe only Japanese males have what it takes to run a business in Japan. :p

No, the reason Julie Hamp did not get prosecuted was because Ambassador Kennedy personally interjected herself into the matter.

Does she do anything else besides get guilty drug smugglers off the hook?

perhaps so but i am sure that in the last several hundred years, men have had plenty of time to screw up and learn... ;-)

This one started on June 19 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...criptions.html and subsequently locked.

Backroom dealings by Toyota and her resignation got her off. They don't want to tarnish the company's name any longer than they have too. Since her status of residency (often called a "visa") is linked to her employment with Toyota and she no longer works for them, and I doubt any other Japanese company would want to hire her, she'll probably be leaving Japan soon. Great job she did for Toyota PR, time to move on.