Chinese wholesaler exposes the hidden dangers of zombie cigarettes targeting Japan

Arrest of Hiroshima’s Hope!

A drug that was unheard of just six months ago has been spreading at an alarming rate.

“Etomidate”—an unapproved pharmaceutical ingredient in Japan—is consumed by heating, inhaling, or placing it in a commercially available atomizer (a device that vaporizes liquid) similar to an electronic cigarette. Within just one to two minutes of use, it produces an intoxicating euphoria, while also causing numbness in the limbs and difficulty walking, making users stagger like zombies. For this reason, it is nicknamed “Zombie Tobacco.” It was designated as a controlled substance in Japan in May of last year.

The drug gained nationwide attention after a promising baseball player was arrested. On January 27, the Hiroshima Prefectural Police arrested Ryutaro Hazuki, a 25-year-old infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, on suspicion of violating the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, sending shockwaves through the baseball world. Tatsuo Shinozuka, a visiting professor at Yokohama College of Pharmacy and an expert on drug crimes, warned of its effects on the human body:

“Etomidate severely suppresses central nervous system activity. Even in small doses, it becomes difficult to move one’s limbs as intended. It is highly addictive, and excessive use can cause respiratory failure and death. It leaves a strong imprint on the brain, so even after quitting, there is a high risk of relapse, similar to other addictive substances.”

Okinawa has been the hardest hit. By the end of November last year, 10 people had been caught, nine of whom were in their teens or twenties. In December, a 14-year-old middle school student was arrested, and another student was arrested on January 30. Authorities cannot fully grasp how far the drug has spread.

“Sold under names like nitrous oxide to simulate euphoria, many young people fall into it without realizing it. It’s cheaper than marijuana or stimulants, costing less than 10,000 yen per gram, and is often shared among friends,” said a local newspaper reporter.

It can be easily consumed by inserting the cartridge. The fact that no syringe or similar device is needed makes it easier for young people to try.

Japan is poor, so it’s easy

At the end of last November, the first arrest in Tokyo occurred. In mid-December, the Metropolitan Police arrested Kenji Manaka (then 59) for attempting to import about 2 kg of “Zombie Tobacco,” the largest domestic seizure to date. Authorities warned that the drug was rapidly spreading in Tokyo as well.

This time, the FRIDAY investigative team managed to make contact—on the condition of correspondence via letters—with a senior member of a Chinese wholesale group. The group, composed of about 100 members, distributes Etomidate in nightlife districts with Kabukicho as its base.

The organization reportedly had Japan in its sights even before the COVID-19 pandemic. A member revealed:

“We’d been distributing for nearly ten years, but we really started moving after the pandemic ended. Okinawa sees the most because shipments come via sea from China and Hong Kong, but the drug is prevalent in major cities including Tokyo. After Okinawa, Hokkaido has a lot too. I wouldn’t be surprised if arrests happen there soon.”

When asked why they handle Zombie Tobacco, they cited the high profit margin:

“You don’t need huge fields like for marijuana. With basic equipment, it can be made in a normal house. In the Xinjiang region, where labor is cheap, production costs are about ¥10,000 per kg. Even in pricier areas, you can make it for ¥100,000 per kg. That’s less than 1/100th the cost of meth. And it sells for ¥10,000 per gram—it’s a huge profit.”

Asked if they were aware it was a dangerous drug with a risk of death, they casually replied:

“For first-timers, we give them a diluted concentration. If they die, we’d get caught, right?”

Regarding why they target Japan as a sales market, they said:

“Most Etomidate is made in China, so it’s geographically accessible. But mainly, people here are poor and have no money. If you offer them an easy profit, they’ll jump on it. And if there’s trouble, you can use money to shut it down. Everything’s easy. Japanese are easy targets.”

The executive revealed a shocking ambition:

“Eventually, we plan to use Japan as a hub for exporting overseas. Customs inspections are strict for Chinese shipments, but packages from Japan face lighter scrutiny in some regions. To establish a base, we’ll continue selling here.”

After answering the final question, the executive laughed, telling the intermediary handling the letters:

“Stay away from that one. None of our members use it.”

Exploiting poverty, Etomidate is spreading explosively. Young people are being preyed upon for criminal profits, and urgent countermeasures are needed.

—”FRIDAY”, February 20–27, 2026 combined issue