Maciamo
Aug 1, 2002, 22:50
This is from the Lonely Planet site : http://www.lonelyplanet.com/scoop/archive.cfm?DPID=437®ion=asi
30 July '02
Shoplifters Targeting Food
Japan's tough times are being reflected in what shoplifters are taking off the shelves - 10 years ago, the typical shoplifter was stealing branded goods from department stores, but now the top targets are food items at supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores. Shoplifting rates are soaring in Japan, highlighted last week by the fatal stabbing of a convenience store manager who was trying to nab a man for shoplifting. The case has received huge attention in Japan, after it was revealed that the man was unemployed and had stolen two buns and two rice balls worth 550 yen (US$5). While cases of shoplifting officially rose only 12 percent in 2001 compared to the year 2000, reports warn that the real incidence of shoplifting may be 10 to 20 times higher because many stores do not report the crime to the police. In a recent television special, a mini-mart owner allowed cameras to be installed at his suburban Tokyo store for several days. At least 20 shoplifters were caught on film, most of whom cited economic difficulties as the reason for their actions. Despite some rosier economic results recently, unemployment stands at about 3.75 million people in Japan. About half of the 31,000 people who committed suicide in Japan last year were unemployed.
30 July '02
Shoplifters Targeting Food
Japan's tough times are being reflected in what shoplifters are taking off the shelves - 10 years ago, the typical shoplifter was stealing branded goods from department stores, but now the top targets are food items at supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores. Shoplifting rates are soaring in Japan, highlighted last week by the fatal stabbing of a convenience store manager who was trying to nab a man for shoplifting. The case has received huge attention in Japan, after it was revealed that the man was unemployed and had stolen two buns and two rice balls worth 550 yen (US$5). While cases of shoplifting officially rose only 12 percent in 2001 compared to the year 2000, reports warn that the real incidence of shoplifting may be 10 to 20 times higher because many stores do not report the crime to the police. In a recent television special, a mini-mart owner allowed cameras to be installed at his suburban Tokyo store for several days. At least 20 shoplifters were caught on film, most of whom cited economic difficulties as the reason for their actions. Despite some rosier economic results recently, unemployment stands at about 3.75 million people in Japan. About half of the 31,000 people who committed suicide in Japan last year were unemployed.