(Credits: Zach Land-Miller)
Tue 9 December 2025 17:33, UK
Writer Jeremy O Harris has been released from a Japanese prison following an arrest due to drug smuggling allegations.
Last week, an Okinawa regional customs spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that Harris was detained on November 16th at Naha Airport on Okinawa island after officials allegedly discovered 0.78 grams of crystal containing MDMA within a tote bag.
The playwright had travelled to Okinawa for leisure purposes, flying from the United Kingdom via Taiwan to the destination.
He was arrested under Japan’s Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act and held in custody for almost three weeks.
Per The New York Times, a spokesperson at the Tomishiro Police Station in Okinawa’s Tomigusuku City confirmed that Harris was released from custody on December 8th.
A representative for Harris told the aforementioned publication that the playwright has been released without charges.
They also reportedly said that Harris plans to stay in Japan, despite the recent arrest, for “writing and researching” purposes for an upcoming project.
Harris is the creator of the critically-acclaimed 2018 play Slave Play, which was nominated for 12 Tony Awards. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the A24 film Zola, and co-produced four episodes in the second season of HBO’s Euphoria.
His latest project is a role in Erupcja, which premiered at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah earlier this month, and Harris had been expected to be in attendance in Saudi Arabia at the event. The Pete Ohs-directed film stars Charli XCX in the lead role.
AloJapan.com