Freelance Announcer Aika Kanda Covers the Himura Couple’s Route 66 Trip—The Meth Possession Controversy

“Geez! What did I do!?”

This summer, aiming to cross the American continent, my husband and I set out on the first leg of our Route 66 completion trip. On the final day heading to Oklahoma City, we were suddenly pulled over by a patrol car in a small town. We hadn’t committed any violations—so why!? When we stopped the car as instructed, the patrol car stopped directly behind us.

From my knowledge as a U.S. enthusiast, you must never reach for the dashboard or side pockets until the officer approaches. In America’s gun society, many people keep firearms there, and it could be mistaken for reaching for a gun. I raised both hands to face level and shouted, “I’m not holding anything!” to make that clear.

The officer walked slowly toward us with one hand on the gun holstered at his waist. When he told us to roll down the window, I barely caught the word ID from his rapid English. I handed over my husband’s international and Japanese driver’s licenses, and he also said “Passport!” So we gave that too, and he returned to his patrol car.

(Okay, it’s safe to move now!) I thought, and my husband turned toward me. He looked bewildered and said, “Geez! What did I do!?” I was terrified and kept thinking, “They’ve taken all our important documents. If we don’t get them back, we can’t return to Japan.”

The officer who had returned spoke into his smartphone and showed us the screen. It displayed Japanese saying, “This is what we are asking everyone to do. Please show the inside of your car.” My husband said, “Aika, look to the side!” and when I glanced toward the passenger-side window, another officer was peering in.

I’d heard that when officers tell drivers to show the inside of the car, it’s because someone in the passenger seat might hide drugs, so another officer watches the passenger seat to avoid missing anything. I realized then, (They suspect us of possessing stimulants.)

We were told to get out of the car and stand in front of the patrol car under the blazing sun. Ahead of us was our car, a guardrail to the right, and the officer who had been peering in at the passenger seat to the left—before we knew it we were surrounded on all sides. One officer kept his hand on the gun at his waist, watching us. The other officer was meticulously searching the car from corner to corner.

Of course, my husband and I had nothing to hide. But this was a rental car. Who knows what kind of people used it before and for what purposes. If they found something and we insisted, “It wasn’t us!” we probably wouldn’t be believed. In my heart I kept praying, (Please, please don’t find anything!), over and over.

A mysterious white substance I had no memory of

About 40 minutes later, the officer searching the car whispered something to the officer standing watch. My heart raced—(Did they find something!?) But then both of them, smiling, said “Good job!” and offered their hands for a shake. My husband and I instinctively said, “Huh?” and shook hands. They patted our shoulders, and our passports and licenses were returned.

Still, my husband was puzzled: “So what was the violation, anyway!?” Without knowing the reason, he might repeat the same mistake while driving. Even after asking, they wouldn’t tell us.

Trying to shift his mood, I said, “Alright! Let’s put on some music and restart!” and reached for the smartphone stored between the driver and passenger seats. That’s when I noticed a small, thin, blue rectangular case I didn’t recognize—it was a mint tablet, “Mintia.”

I exclaimed, “Whoa, what’s this!?” and my husband echoed, “It’s not ours!” Both of us shuddered in fright. It must have been left behind by a previous renter, hidden somewhere in the car. Of all things, a white pill shows up! The rest of the ride was filled with jokes and nervous chatter about, “What if it had been illegal drugs!?”

Finally, we arrived at our destination, Oklahoma City, after driving 1,500 km. The summer challenge was complete. So much had happened. I realized that you can only get through such a trip with someone you truly trust. Married for eight years, our bond deepened, and I felt confident that together, we could overcome any obstacle.

That evening, we stayed at a luxurious hotel worthy of the final celebration. While sipping champagne, we pledged that next year we would continue from Oklahoma all the way to the end point, Santa Monica.

Aika Kanda: Born in 1980 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science at Gakushuin University, she joined NHK as an announcer in 2003. She left NHK in 2012 to become a freelance announcer. Since then, she has been active mainly on variety shows and is currently a regular main MC on the daytime program Pokapoka (Fuji TV network).

★ Her first book compiling this series, “Where Does the Royal Road Lead?”, is now on sale to great acclaim!

From “FRIDAY”, combined issue October 24–31, 2025.