ARRESTED IN JAPAN! WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING LOCKED UP

The speaker recounts being arrested twice and detained three times in Japan for a total of 45 days, describing the experience as traumatizing and comparing the detention facility to a "legal modern-day torture facility." Despite not doing drugs or cussing, the speaker became the first in their family to be arrested. The experience was so intense that they had to return to California to recuperate before making this video, which they anticipate will be a two-part series due to its length and the depth of the experience. The purpose of sharing this story is transparency, as the speaker's channel is largely about their personal life, and to help others by shedding light on a "crazy" situation that can happen to anyone. They emphasize that the Japanese detention system is not what most people imagine, and that it is designed to exhaust and stress individuals to coerce confessions of guilt, even before innocence or guilt has been determined. The speaker details the check-in process at the detention center, which began with being completely stripped naked. Guards thoroughly searched their clothes, including removing shoe soles and laces. They were asked health questions, and their blood pressure, weight, and height were recorded. The speaker also received a lengthy rulebook, all in Japanese, highlighting a potential issue for non-Japanese speakers. They learned about the facility's schedule, including a 6:00 AM wake-up and the ability to shower only once every five days. A guard warned them not to speak to other detainees, share their real name, address, or the reason for their detention. A detailed body examination followed, where all tattoos and scars were documented. The speaker, who has 11 tattoos, noted the guards' particular interest in them, likely due to the association of tattoos with the Yakuza in Japan. The examination also involved documenting numerous scars and stretch marks, which caused confusion for the guards. The process concluded with a full-body search, including inside the mouth, and a requirement to perform squats while naked to ensure nothing was hidden in the vagina. Following the search, the speaker was given the opportunity to purchase essential toiletries and clothing, all in gray. They bought underwear, socks, feminine products, soap, a small towel, lotion, and chapstick, and rented gray clothes. However, they were not allowed to take these items with them immediately; instead, they were dressed in the rented clothes and given a handkerchief before being taken to their cell. The cell is described as a "cell cage," a bright white room with intense fluorescent lights that remain on 24/7, creating a "mental facility type of vibe." It contained only a toilet with a low wall and a sink, but no bed, seat, cushion, or windows, making it impossible to tell the time of day. Inmates are only allowed two items: a handkerchief and a few pieces of tissue paper, each for a specific purpose, with strict rules against using them for anything else. The door had numerous locks, making loud noises, contributing to the feeling of being in a maximum-security prison. The food served in the detention center was another form of "torture." Lunch, which was the same every day, consisted of three pieces of white bread, cold, boiled pasta noodles without sauce, and a bowl of hot water. Each meal also included a small, mystery-filled fried croquette, which the speaker already disliked from a previous traumatic experience during a COVID-19 quarantine in Japan. The shock and stress of the situation suppressed their appetite, which they were thankful for given the unappetizing food. The speaker was later transferred to a smaller room with an elderly roommate who seemed disoriented and mostly spoke about Michael Jackson and Shohei Ohtani. This roommate, who couldn't speak English, also tried to touch the speaker's hair and set rules for cleaning the room. Crucially, the speaker had signed a form at the police station to notify the US Embassy of their arrest. The Embassy visited on the second day of detention, providing vital information about the Japanese legal system, including details about potential punishments and capital punishment, which differed significantly from America. The Embassy also informed the speaker that their sister had already filed a missing person's report and contacted various military branches and emergency services. This news alleviated immense stress. The Embassy also helped locate the speaker's private lawyer, who their sister had found with minimal information. The speaker highlights the high cost of private lawyers in Japan (2.4 million yen to start, plus another 2.4 million if the case is dropped), contrasting it with the free, but seemingly incompetent, duty lawyer they initially met. The Embassy representative, described as highly professional and empathetic, provided accurate information without offering false hope. Significantly, the Embassy was able to advocate for the speaker's serious medical condition, which is ranked among the most serious in Japan. This intervention led to the speaker being transferred to a private room, a critical improvement given the unsanitary conditions and the speaker's immunocompromised state. The Embassy clarified that while they couldn't secure release, they could ensure the speaker's safety and medical needs were met. The speaker strongly recommends contacting one's embassy in such situations for support, information, and family notification.