Drug Regulation Contradiction: The Paradox of Overregulation in Japan and Beyond

This paper addresses the paradox of excessive drug regulation in Japan, with a focus on sleeping pill policies. While intended to curb misuse and illegal resale, these restrictions have paradoxically deprived patients of necessary treatment and fueled black market alternatives. By analyzing Japan’s case, the study highlights a universal contradiction: the more rigid the regulation, the more resilient and widespread illegal circulation becomes. The paper calls for a fundamental reconsideration of drug policies worldwide to avoid the harmful feedback loop of overregulation.