Paris Hilton was denied entrance into Japan yesterday after she admitted to cocaine possession in the US.

An immigration official in Tokyo said that Ms Hilton was not allowed into the country, and she was returning home to the US.

The 29-year-old celebrity pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanour drug charge in Las Vegas.

Under Japanese law, immigration authorities can deny entry to those who have been convicted of drug-related offences.

Ms Hilton had been scheduled to promote her fashion and fragrance lines at a news conference in Tokyo yesterday. A smiling Ms Hilton told reporters at Tokyo’s airport: “I’m going back home, and I look forward to coming back to Japan in the future.”

The 29-year-old celebrity socialite arrived on Tuesday evening but was stopped at the airport and spent the night at a hotel after being questioned by officials.

A Japanese immigration official said she was denied entry after about six hours of questioning over the two days.

The country has taken a tough line with famous figures in the past, although it also grants exceptions on occasion. Football icon Diego Maradona was initially banned from entering the country during the 2002 World Cup finals for past drug offences, but was eventually given a 30-day visa as a “special delegate”.

The Rolling Stones struggled for years to gain entry to the country but were eventually allowed in despite its members’ drug convictions.

In January 1980, Paul McCartney was arrested for marijuana possession upon arrival at Narita airport. He was deported with-out carrying out a planned concert tour by his rock group Wings.

Tokyo was the first stop on Ms Hilton’s planned Asia tour, during which she planned to visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and open a new retail store in Jakarta, Indonesia.