
Yasutomo Ihara, a former stuntman known for his participation in the Kamen Rider franchise, has since turned his training to nefarious ends. In a story seemingly grafted from a J-drama, he was arrested on September 8 by Saitama Prefecture’s Criminal Investigations Unit for 43 separate counts of theft. His method involved scaling walls by slipping his fingers into tiny indentations and entering houses through their second-floor windows, earning him the nickname “Spiderman” from the investigators. His targets were in the neighboring Saitama Prefecture cities of Warabi and Toda.
Ihara’s career as a stuntman came to an end five years ago when he hurt his knee. Since then, he’s pursued an acting career, but the costs of acting lessons drove him to shady means of earning a living. Ihara trained for his burglaries in a park during the day and could be seen biking around the area scoping out empty houses, earning him a reputation as a “tall, good-looking man on the prowl.” Investigators traced his footsteps in the park, eventually uncovering some of the stolen items.
Ihara’s crimes spanned the period from November 2013 to June 2014. He stole 6.7 million yen in cash (about $63,600) and 450 possessions, totaling 8.2 million yen overall (about $77,800). Factoring in his indictment, Ihara owes 8.9 million yen (or about $84,500). He admits to the charges.
Ihara’s filmography includes Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider OOO & W Featuring Skull: Movie War Core, Kamen Rider W Returns, and Tensou Sentai Goseiger, another tokusatsu series.
[Via Yahoo! News Japan; Image from Ki-no Muku Mama]
More from Anime News Network

Voyeur at Kyoto shopping center apprehended by Japanese superhero Kamen Rider
Japanese superhero Kamen Rider arrested for meth use
Kamen Rider defends Japanese city from drunk drivers 【Pics & Video】
Kamen Rider, one of Japan’s greatest heroes, arrested for groping woman’s breasts in Tokyo suburb
Japanese schoolgirl struggles to comprehend the shocking truth that her mom is Kamen Rider
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Kamen Rider Revi’s hoverbike is a real thing that’s on sale now, delivery by early next year
Now you can buy a piece of a gut-busting android’s abs from Kamen Rider thanks to Premium Bandai
Godzilla, Evangelion, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider have formed a giant robot in tokusatsu clip【Vid】
Japanese TV show about women sprinting up hills and panting adds its first-ever male performers
Super-expensive capsule toys – Trying out Japan’s Premium Gachapon machine【Photos】
Mamoru Hosoda’s The Boy and the Beast film sells 3 million tickets
Famous characters celebrate special occasions in your life with personalized letters
Live-action Attack on Titan director teases Godzilla plans
Kodansha Manga Magazine Editor Arrested for Wife’s Murder (Updated)
Five Chinese nationals arrested in Japan for translating manga, games for distribution
Makoto Shinkai Comments on your name.’s 10 Billion Yen Revenue
Retail store warns a shoplifter to return the goods… or have his identity exposed online
50-year-old Japanese man arrested for selling naked Love Live! anime pillow covers
Man arrested for arson threats to Kyoto Animation-related video game company
Gifu pond where 3,000 fish were murdered gets back on its feet thanks to donations, volunteers