thief
Quick thinking leads to swift justice on the last train of the night.
But even after all that, he still shows no intention of reforming.
Besides great sushi, great customer service and ubiquitous vending machines, another great thing about living in Japan is the relatively low crime rate there. Although the country certainly has its criminals (including very cute and cuddly ones), visitors, tourists and expats in Japan routinely extol how Japanese culture has created a society where even a wallet full of cash will be returned to its owner most of the time. After hearing about Japan’s reputation for being an honest, rule-abiding country, a Saudi Arabian TV show created a social experiment to see what would happen when they left a very conspicuous wallet on the busy streets of Tokyo.
If you pay attention while walking around Japan, you’ll eventually see signs warning pedestrians to be careful of purse snatchers. While the average person may never be involved in such an incident, many take care to walk with their bags held away from the street to avoid scooter-riding thieves.
Unfortunately, one 80-year-old woman wasn’t prepared for a purse snatcher while riding an escalator, but she also wasn’t about to just throw her hands up and cry either.
A 32-year-old man in the town of Hino, Tokyo, was arrested late last week on suspicion of having entering a woman’s apartment and demanding that she hand over her underwear.
According to an FNN News report, the man crept into the premises before brandished a knife and telling the resident to surrender her panties, but was apprehended soon after.
MOST POPULAR
Now
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Six things you should order at Japanese conveyor belt sushi restaurant Hama Sushi
Japan’s tap-to-pay Suica train card system aims to go tapless with walk-through gates, location data scans
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Stinkiest sushi in the world is now an ice cream flavour in Japan
We spend a night alone in a stylish hotel that is also storage facility for works of art
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
Monthly
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches- Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Stinkiest sushi in the world is now an ice cream flavour in Japan
We spend a night alone in a stylish hotel that is also storage facility for works of art
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
McDonald’s Japan renews the Samurai Mac, but not everyone will be happy with the new warrior
Live-action Attack on Titan musical reveals in-costume photos of full cast【Photos】
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The End
Which Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain has the best egg sushi?【Taste test】
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
-
