Paul McCartney’s previous application for a Japanese visa had been turned down in 1976. This time he was allowed into the country as it was a brief tour.
Upon their arrival at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, however, customs officials found 219 grammes of marijuana, with a street value of 600,000 yen, hidden in Paul’s luggage and inside the hood of one of his children.
On January 16th, 1980, McCartney flew into Tokyo’s Narita International Airport with his wife Linda and their four children. He was five days early for Wings’ tour of Japan, an 11-date stint that would wrap up with three nights at the Budokan in early February. But all of that was cancelled when officials found 7.7 ounces of marijuana in his luggage and the Beatle spent nine days in a Tokyo prison.
“I didn’t try to hide it,” McCartney recalled in 2011. “I had just come from America and still had the American attitude that marijuana isn’t that bad. I didn’t realize just how strict the Japanese attitude is …my first night was the worst. I couldn’t sleep. I was frightened about the possibility of not seeing my family for years.”
“Dear Sirs, I LEE PIPECOCK JACKSON PERRY would LOVE to express my concern over your consideration of one quarter kilo to be an excessive amount of herbs in the case as it pertains to master PAUL McCARTNEY,” he wrote. “…I find the herbal powers of marijuana in its widely recognized abilities to relax, calm, and generate positive feeling a must. Herbs is his Majesty’s. All singers positive directions and liberty Irrations. Please do not consider the amount of herbs involved excessive. Master PAUL McCARTNEY’s intentions are positive.”
McCartney was released from prison after nine days. Perry’s reaction was kinder than McCartney’s former bandmate John Lennon, who reportedly said, “If he really needs weed, surely there’s enough people who can carry it for him. You’re a Beatle, boy, a Beatle. Your face is in every damn corner of the planet.
How could you have been so stupid?”
McCartney was imprisoned for a total of 10 days until 25 January 1980. He was released without charge and deported to England.
