U.S. Embassy warns Americans to avoid Roppongi bars due to drink-spiking increase

Wednesday 18th March, 02:35 AM JST

TOKYO —

The U.S. Embassy in Japan on Tuesday issued an alert to the American community that Americans in Tokyo avoid frequenting Roppongi bars and clubs in Tokyo due to a significant increase in reported drink-spiking incidents.

The number of reports of U.S. citizens being drugged in bars has increased significantly in recent weeks. Typically, the victim unknowingly drinks a beverage that has been secretly mixed with a drug that renders the victim unconscious for several hours, during which time large sums of money are charged to the victim’s credit card or the card is stolen outright. Victims sometimes regain consciousness in the bar or club, while at other times the victim awakens on the street.

Because this type of crime is already widespread in Roppongi bars and is on the rise, the U.S. Embassy has recommended that members of the embassy community avoid frequenting drinking establishments in this area. American citizens may consider this recommendation as it applies to their own behavior.

According to the embassy, establishments in the area of Roppongi Intersection (Roppongi Dori and Gaienhigashi-dori) have had the highest level of reported incidents.

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Latest 15 of 72 Total Comments Show All

European1 at 03:43 PM JST - 18th March

Don`t take mixed drinks then, only buy in the bottle. By the way, if this news is official what J police is going to do about it?
space_monkey at 06:05 PM JST - 18th March

I would much prefer hot girls taking me back to a hotel and stealing my wallet after they had sex with me and I fell asleep!!

If anyone hasn't noticed the whole world of finance has collapsed under bad debt. Why have a credit card in the first place? Carry just enough cash for the night and when you need more go to a 24 hour ATM.

Problem solved.
LostinNagoya at 09:56 PM JST - 18th March

there´s another BIG problem: by law, J banks are not responsible for any problems or misuse of their cards. So, no refunds or compensation later. I remember of a case of a men who had more than 20 mil sacked from his bank account and the bank just washed their hands.
jeancolmar at 10:06 PM JST - 18th March

Moral of this story is drink at home. If you want to socialize try Starbucks. I've yet to hear of the capachino being spiked.
elbudamexicano at 11:05 PM JST - 18th March

Roppongi is a hell whole, and lots of scum bags work their, both Japanese and non-Japanese. Should anybody be surprised by this kind of news? The Japanese mafia(yakuza) can not get anymore money from their own Japanese customers, so now they are trying what they used to do with J customers, with wealthy ex-pats. Surprise, surprise??
Sarge at 11:13 PM JST - 18th March

"Carry just enough cash for the night and when you need more go to a 24 hour ATM. Problem solved."

That's like saying carry just one pack of smokes for the night and when you need more, go to a conbini and buy another pack! Problem solved!
helloklitty at 12:55 AM JST - 20th March

Another reason I'm glad I don't drink.
jeancolmar at 02:30 AM JST - 20th March

I cannot recall the US or any embassy ever issuing a warning to its non-military nationals about any place in Japan. Pity about Roppongi. Used to be a nice place. Darts at Bernie Inn. Best to say way from Roppongi en mass. When the the good businesses start complaining that the scummy businesses are ruining them perhaps the police will take an interest.
gonemad at 03:03 AM JST - 20th March

take out some cash and leave your credit cards at home.

Bad advice. Then your cash will be gone. If they take your credit card, you may have some hassle, but you will not lose any money. You can cancel any charge which has not been authorized by your signature or PIN. It's the risk of the company which accepts the card (or credit card company, depending on contracts).

LostinNagoya, I think your comment refers to ordinary cash cards, not credit cards.
PaulieWalnuts at 03:13 AM JST - 20th March

Pity about Roppongi. Used to be a nice place. Darts at Bernie Inn.

jumpers for goalposts...
jeancolmar at 11:56 AM JST - 20th March

Jumpers for goalpost?! Translaion please!
jonnyboy at 12:27 PM JST - 20th March

Jumpers for goalpost?! Translaion please!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Manager
tokyocrawler at 05:01 PM JST - 21st March

Yea I got drugged by the barman, he kept giving me drinks of cola all night and I didnt wake up until noon the next day.....watch out for that stuff called whiskey....

but seriously, its a shame that this is happening because the best thing about Japan is that you can go out for a good night without the fear of violence and crime to the same extent as other countries. Of course things happen in any town....but where im from you have to keep one eye on your beer and the other on everyone else...
SiouxGirl at 04:21 PM JST - 22nd March

That's it, then. The only thing to do is head down to Roppongi and get a part-time evening job as a bartender. Do unto others before they do you.
Zellmer at 07:20 PM JST - 24th March

Live in a college town in the u.s., there's a story about a girl getting her drinks spiked and raped every single week. The only real question is if they end up dead or not. It's not the most uncommon thing really, but still must be bad if they issued a warning like they said.