U.S. Embassy issues new warning over drink-spiking in Roppongi

Friday 10th July, 01:20 PM JST

TOKYO —

The U.S. Embassy has renewed its alert to American citizens in Tokyo to avoid frequenting bars and clubs in the Roppongi area of Tokyo due to drink-spiking incidents. The embassy said it continues to receive reliable reports of U.S. citizens being drugged in Roppongi bars.

Most reports indicate that the victim unknowingly drinks a beverage that has been secretly mixed with a drug that renders the victim unconscious or stuporous for several hours, during which time large charges are fraudulently billed to the victim, sums of money are charged to the victim’s credit card, or the card is stolen. Victims sometimes regain consciousness in the bar or club, while at other times the victim awakens on the street. Assaults on Americans have also been reported in connection with drink-spiking, the embassy said in its alert.

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Latest 15 of 96 Total Comments Show All

ca1ic0cat at 01:03 AM JST - 11th July

If you're looking for trouble you'll find it. On the other hand my gaijin boss, separated from the group in Roppongi, lost, drunk and with no cash (hows that for street smarts?) decided he was going to walk back to the Hilton in Shinjuku. Some time later a Japanese guy insisted on giving a cabbie money to take him back to the hotel. He was safe and sound if a little tired and hung over.

Try that in other cities of the world. Tokyo isn't that dangerous.
Klein2 at 02:12 AM JST - 11th July

I can imagine that finding silly drunk Americans is like shooting ducks in a barrel in Roppongi, hence the problem. Easier marks for a shifty foreigner than a Japanese person by a long shot. How many credit cards is a Japanese person likely to have after all? What American credit company is going to refuse a charge in Tokyo at 2 am? A Japanese credit company will call the bar and ask to talk to you... haha.
Fadamor at 02:38 AM JST - 11th July

As was pointed out before, if this was just an issue with U.S. military personnel, then the Pong would be placed off-limits. I saw this happen during our visit to Naples ("The Gut" was off-limits to all personnel due to previous incidents), and a section of Oahu (Samoan gangs were targeting "haolies"). So the military is perfectly fine with banning certain locations. The U.S. Embassy gets involved when American tourists or expats are victimized or could potentially be victimized.

Not sure if Sarge was mocking the "Assaults on Americans" comment, but you wouldn't realistically expect a warning from the U.S. Embassy about German/French/Korean/(insert other nationality of choice here) visitors being targeted.

Best thing to do is not go alone and don't frequent the cabarets where that $14 bottle of wine will run you 140,000 yen once the hostess is added in. Drink from bottles that you opened or that were opened in your presence. Mixed drinks are for "girly men" anyway. :-)
xpompey8 at 03:21 AM JST - 11th July

Pay in cash, drink responsibly, and avoid shady establishments. Problem solved.
jeffrey at 04:59 AM JST - 11th July

Altria at 01:49 PM JST - 10th July The embassy said it continues to receive reliable reports of U.S. citizens being drugged in Roppongi bars. Then why are these bars still in operation? What are the police doing about it?

Who is to say that the Japanese police aren't aware of what's going on if not actually involved? Seems to me that this latest wave of spiked drinks dovetails nicely with the random "piss checks" that they've initiated.

What's to be expected from law enforcement in a country where everyone knows who the organized crime members are and they have club houses?

It's a shame as Roppongi used to be a fun place to eat and drink.
DenDon at 09:36 AM JST - 11th July

errr, dont take your credit or cash card. duh
hamiltontruther at 03:31 PM JST - 12th July

been partying in roppongi for a good lotta years. never once was there a problem. too many people on this thread are making too much noise about the lurking danger on the streets of roppongi. as for the american embassy issuing a warning. that's fine. when americans are victims of crime in a foreign country then the corresponding embassy issues a warning. if and or when a canadian is a victim of this crime then the canadian embassy will issue a warning.
hmmmgin at 05:41 AM JST - 13th July

Just remember that Roppongi is a multi-cultural international hub, meaning the Japanese percentage of people are less thus the asian person or establishment are not actually Japanese run but other groups of people. With the economic downturn, it is easier to rob and dash. Then to earn your money the old fashion way. Intergity, has lost value all over the world. And if you have it, you are chiled for it. But hey Its like Racism, easy picking on a group of people you just dont like, but need the money.
hmmmgin at 05:54 AM JST - 13th July

Looks like a job for some STING operations and start deporting those who break the law. A country like this, would need to do this sooner than later, or risk a major down turn with individuals not spending money or improving economic conditions. I still find that Roppongi with all gliter and lights still have some great people there.
Kazamai at 09:36 AM JST - 13th July

Roppongi is full of criminals, morally gray people and psychos.

In the few times that I have been there I have: -been harassed by Nigerians and persuaded to some back alley pub -seen a guy wrap his van around a poll -witnessed the dirtiest meat market out there
Lamborghini at 02:06 PM JST - 13th July

They should feel lucky they only getting money stolen, in the west most people getting their drinks spiked are females that are then raped

Think the Japanese Embassy should warn Japanese not to visit bar or clubs in the USA because of drink-spiking and the 99% chance you will be raped if you are a female who has had her drink-spiked!
yawmin at 01:52 AM JST - 14th July

remember what method man did on that movie "belly" when he realized when they were drugging his drink. . .
Beelzebub at 10:54 AM JST - 14th July

The US state of Tennessee seems on the verge of adopting a law making it legal to carry firearms into bars and restaurants for "self defence." Perhaps a similar statute should be mulled for Roppongi -- it would clean up the neighborhood in a few weeks I figure.
realist at 01:30 PM JST - 14th July

Roppongi is just another den of iniquity, and I wouldnt dream of setting foot in or near the place. Its just a sleaze town.
EurajReturns at 07:57 AM JST - 16th July

They should feel lucky they only getting money stolen, in the west most people getting their drinks spiked are females that are then raped

Think the Japanese Embassy should warn Japanese not to visit bar or clubs in the USA because of drink-spiking and the 99% chance you will be raped if you are a female who has had her drink-spiked!

That's ridiculous. The only way they would be lucky is if they could go the bar, have a drink, and then head back to their quarters in one piece. There's a little problem in Roppongi. No reason to try to point a finger and deflect it.