[jasonbvr]

3-5 years sounds a bit harsh. Maybe that sort of sentencing has something to do with intent to distribute or something. Because if he is caught with the drugs he will definitely be charged with possession, but they would need evidence of him trying to sell it to make the case for intent to distribute.

I only know about the two months followed by deportation because it happened to a teacher in my area. I don't know all the details of drug laws in Japan, only what I have heard in the past.

Let me add a little bit of advice though to any and all reading this post. When you are charged with possession of illegal drugs in a foreign country, you are subject to their laws and many times your country has a policy that specifically states that they will not help you in this type of circumstance. Aside from torture and maybe the death penalty, they can probably lock you up for however long they choose to do so.