[MMM]

Without knowing what she is talking about it is hard to give an answer.

As far as drugs go, Japan is very anti-illegal drugs. In some ways the body is a temple, so things like mind-altering drugs and tattoos are looked down upon. I only met one or two adult Japanese who had claimed to have even tried smoking marijuana, and I knew no one who had done any harder drugs.

Maybe her friend was talking about public intoxication. It is not uncommon to see people drunk in public. These are usually after college or work social gatherings where drinking is very encouraged. You can be sure that the drunk driving laws in Japan are very strict, and any one drinking will not be driving.

As a high school student you would not find yourself in a situation like that.

Public displays of affection are not as common in Japan. I once led an exchange with a group of high schoolers to a school in Japan. At the going away party our students were hugging their host brothers and sisters goodbye. The Japanese principal was very upset and told me hugging was against the rules.