NARITA, Japan (AP) – Paris Hilton cancelled her Asia tour and returned home when she was denied entry at Tokyo's airport yesterday following a drug violation in the US – running afoul of strict Japanese laws that have tripped up celebrities from Paul McCartney to Diego Maradona.

"I'm going back home, and I look forward to coming back to Japan in the future," a smiling Hilton told reporters before departing on her private jet.

The 29-year-old celebrity socialite had arrived at Narita International Airport, outside the Japanese capital, two days after pleading guilty to a misdemeanour drug charge in Las Vegas. Japan has strict immigration laws that bar entry to those convicted of drug offenses, although exceptions are occasionally granted.

Hilton was to appear Wednesday at a news conference in Tokyo to promote her fashion and fragrance lines. She arrived on Tuesday evening, but was stopped at the airport and spent the night at an airport hotel after being questioned by officials