I’m sure I’m not the first to admit that life would be so much easier if money grew on trees, or even if earning more money were as simple as just printing it off your computer. But alas, the world does work that way, and anyone caught trying to spend counterfeit money is bound to end up in hot water, as these two Japanese suspects are sure to tell you.
Joint investigation headquarters of Osaka, Hyogo, and Niigata prefectural police announced this January 14 that company executives Takeshi Aoyama from Toyohashi City, and Masahiko Ito from Niigata City, were arrested under suspicion of importing forged money from China.
Just how much money, you ask? According to the reports, there were 108 10,000-yen bills. A 10,000-yen bill is the equivalent of a US hundred-dollar bill, so that’s about a cool US$10,800 in (fake) cash right there. And what was particularly interesting about these bills is that they were forgeries of the old-style 10,000-yen note.
The Bank of Japan’s homepage states that the old bills, first issued in 1958, featured Prince Shōtoku, a legendary regent and politician in late 6th century Japan. Prince Shōtoku was then replaced on the bills in 1984 by Yukichi Fukuzawa, famous philosopher and founder of Keio University.
▼The prince in all his glory…
▼…before Mr. Yukichi took over
Images: Wikipedia
Seventy-eight-year-old Aoyama and 44-year-old Ito are suspected of smuggling the old bills from Shanghai into Chubu Airport in Aichi Prefecture in June 2013. Investigations continued that July after old bills brought in to be exchanged at a bank in Niigata were found to be fake, and another fake bill was found listed on an online auction website.
When questioned, Aoyama claimed that he received over 200 of the bills from a Chinese man after paying him, and Ito adds that they didn’t know whether or not the bills were fake.
The two still took the money in to banks within the country to be exchanged, and also gave them to friends and acquaintances, persuading them that there were still many of the old bills in use in China, and encouraging them to invest the money.
Coincidentally enough, back in 2012, Aoyama and Ito established the “Nicchuu Rekishi Kouryuu Kyoukai“, with roughly translates as “Sino-Japanese Historical Exchange Association”. Aoyama states he was urged to establish the association by the same man who gave him the fake bills. Guess there was a bit more than just history being exchanged there?
Image: Adventure to Fitness
If you don’t want to get in trouble with the big guys, it might be a good idea to keep the fake money for playtime!
Source: The Asahi Shimbun
Featured image: Wikipedia
Two Japanese high school kids arrested in “really bad” attempt at cash fraud
Japanese Man Arrested for Using Novelty Cash, Clerk Tipped off by Laughing Yukichi
Yamanashi man arrested for making fake money and tricking people into picking it up
Man counterfeits 50,000 yen using only a 100-yen shop, a convenience store, and a Japanese custom
Let this be a reminder to everyone: There’s no such thing as easy money!
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Famous koi ponds overwhelmed with tourists throwing thousands of coins in them
How to take your home ramen to the next level by making your own chashu pork in a frying pan
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Seaweed Salt Potato Butter Bacon Teriyaki Egg Burgers from McDonald’s are a mouthful
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Japanese restaurant chain shows us how to make katsudon in three minutes【SoraKitchen】
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
How to spot the new sophisticated counterfeit bills circulating in Japan
A fun and cheap souvenir for kids: 100-yen shop play money featuring Japan’s brand-new yen bills!
What should you do if you have Japanese money that’s been destroyed like this?
Aichi man arrested for stealing 70,000 yen in toy money from safe
Japanese woman seeks justice after buying four million-dollar bills from counterfeiters
Osaka woman gives foreigner Uber Eats worker fake money, thought he wouldn’t know difference
Can you use the fluctuating exchange rate and Japan’s weak yen to make some money? We find out
The Bank of Japan is really jazzed up about the new 10,000 yen bill
Okinawan man arrested for buying cigarettes with currency of the dead
Japan is changing its yen bills soon, so beware of scam artists, government warns
Pretty money – Poll reveals Japan’s “coolest” cash
Mysterious Japanese woman gives one million yen in cash to man she’s never met, then disappears
Japanese city abolishes 88th birthday celebratory money gift because people are living longer
Nike Air Mo’ Money sneakers with Japanese text and yen symbols are the coolest kicks around