Teacher in Japan Loses Job For Bringing Coca Leaves To Class

A teacher thought they were educating their students — but a controversial “show and tell” left the school board apologizing on national TV.

By Himari Semans

A schoolteacher brought coca leaves to class. The next day, a parent complained. Now, 6 months later, the Board of Education is apologetically bowing on national TV. The teacher? Shunned out of the education system.

Ignorant in the harshest country for drugs

On August 8th, Aichi Prefecture ordered the disciplinary dismissal of an unnamed 54-year-old female teacher Miyuki Elementary School in Toyohashi City for showing coca leaves to students, according to Aichi Prefecture’s Board of Education.

The coca leaf is one of the 164 illegal substances Japan places on its Controlled Substances List. Japan regulates it under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Law, the Cannabis Control Law, and the Stimulants Control Law.

Japan has some of the world’s strictest drug laws, as seen in the recent string of drug arrests involving student-athletes.

The coca leaf falls under the category of narcotic drugs.