AFS reserves the right to end your participation and return you home early if you violate Japanese laws. It is your responsibility to obey Japanese laws. These laws may be different from your country, but not knowing is not an excuse.
In Japan, the legal age for drinking alcohol and smoking is 20. The driving age is 18. This is why high schools have strict rules about drinking, smoking and driving.
It is illegal to sell alcohol to people under 20.
Alcohol vending machines are common in Japan, but it is illegal for people under 20 to use them. If students are caught drinking alcohol in Japan, there is a good chance that they will be suspended from school. Drinking alcohol and smoking may be cause for an early return.
Illegal drugs are relatively rare in Japan, but use by young people does happen. Don’t get involved with drugs. The penalties under Japanese law for the use or possession of illegal drugs are very severe and include imprisonment. AFS cannot save you if you are caught by the police. If you are found to be involved with illegal drugs and are not already in police custody, you can be sent home immediately.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Warning
Do not bring Vicks Inhalers or Adderall into Japan. Both contain ingredients prohibited under Japanese law. Medicines containing codeine, barbiturates, and tranquilizers are also prohibited. Please check with the Embassy of Japan in your country as to whether or not you can bring your medicines to Japan, before you come. You can be arrested at the airport!
Cheating on bus and train fares is a serious crime and Japanese operators are very good at detecting cheating. Anyone found cheating on fares can be fined up to three times the amount of the fare. In the case of students, transport companies will contact the student's family, school, as well as the police.
Shoplifting is theft regardless of the value of items stolen. Don’t take this issue lightly and get yourself in trouble. Department stores and supermarkets have store detectives posing as ordinary shoppers and security cameras in order to catch shoplifters and pickpockets. Security cameras are also used in convenience stores, CD and record shops, bookstores, and many other stores. Shops usually hand over shoplifters to the police. The police can arrest and detain a shoplifter for up to 72 hours, photographing, fingerprinting, and questioning them. If you are arrested for shoplifting, you will have to appear in court.