(25 Sep 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tokyo, Japan – 25 September 2025
1. Various of convicted Australian woman Donna Nelson’s family members arriving at court
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Kristal Hilaire, Donna Nelson’s daughter:
“I have been so hopeful that this was going to be the end, and it’s very tiring to keep fighting this fight, and yeah, I just thought we would all be able to rest and be going home with her.”
3. Wide of Japanese flag outside the High Court in Tokyo
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Taylor Kickett, Donna Nelson’s daughter:
“A bit emotional. But just trying to stay positive, keep fighting, bring her home.”
5. Exterior of high court
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Taylor Kickett, Donna Nelson’s daughter:
“I know she was really positive and thought she was going to get a good outcome, but I think it hurt her that she didn’t get what she thought she’s going to get.”
7. Passers-by walking in front of High Court
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Justin Hayhurst, Australia’s ambassador to Japan:
“Today’s obviously a very difficult day for Ms. Nelson and for her relatives, so our thoughts and sympathies are with them. But I can assure them and I can ensure others that the Australian Government will continue to provide all necessary consular support.”
9. Close of sign outside court
STORYLINE:
A Japanese court on Thursday dismissed an appeal by an Australian woman in a drug smuggling case, upholding a lower court sentencing of a six-year prison term.
The Tokyo High Court said it found Donna Nelson, 59, from Perth, Australia, guilty of violating the stimulants control and customs laws.
The ruling upholds the Chiba District Court’s decision that also included a fine of 1 million yen ($6,725).
Nelson was arrested at Japan’s Narita International Airport, near Tokyo, on Jan. 3, 2023, after customs officials found about 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of amphetamine hidden under a false bottom in a suitcase she was carrying as checked luggage.
Nelson has told the court that she did not know that drugs were hidden in the suitcase and that she was carrying them for a man she hoped to marry.
The man called Kelly, whom she met online in 2020, told her he was the Nigerian owner of a fashion business.
In 2023, he paid to travel to Japan via Laos, and asked her to collect dress samples from an acquaintance in the Southeast Asian country.
She was supposed to meet him in Japan but he never showed up.
In Thursday’s ruling, presiding judge Takeshi Irie dismissed all counter-arguments submitted by Nelson’s defense lawyers demanding her acquittal, arguing that she was a romance scam victim with no awareness or intent of drug trafficking for profit.
There was no misjudgment by the original ruling, and that the defendant was fully capable and had time to think and realize that something was wrong with what she was being asked, the judge said in the ruling.
Nelson, in a navy-blue suit, seated in front of the judge and listened to the sentencing quietly, at times shaking her head in apparent disagreement.
Now she has 14 days to consider whether to appeal to the top court.
“I have been so hopeful that this was going to be the end, and it’s very tiring to keep fighting this fight,” said one of her daughters, Kristal Hilaire.
“I thought I would be going home with her.”
Australia’s ambassador to Japan, Justin Hayhurst, who also attended the court hearing in Tokyo told the press it was a “difficult day” for Nelson and her family, and that the Australian government would “provide all necessary consular support”.
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