In 1990, Japan became the last of the Group of Seven advanced industrial countries to take steps to adhere to United States policies aimed at the international drug trade. Although pressure from the United States was largely responsible for their adoption, the nature of the regulations were strongly influenced by the concerns of large Japanese commercial banks and crucial government agencies. The money laundering regulations offered the Japanese banking industry the potential for new restrictions on the postal savings system. In addition, the Ministry of Finance perceived the opportunity to reduce the contending influence of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. These domestic gains entailed relatively little international cost. Additional research is recommended regarding the dynamics of domestic change in Japan and the implications for international efforts at drug law enforcement. 72 reference notes