Robberies and Murders Surge in Tokyo Area
December 5, 2024
This year, it feels like the world has taken a turn for the worse. Vicious robberies and murders have become a frequent occurrence in Japan. According to the police agency, the number of murders and robberies in the Metropolitan area surged to 18 after August 2024, and 40 criminals have been arrested in 15 cases, but the masterminds behind the crime spree are not found
Unlike previous cases, organized crime groups are now behind these acts, and the people involved are young individuals applying for work called yami baito (unlicensed jobs) through social media.
Moreover, the young people who committed these crimes often did not even know each other and were simply lured by the promise of a job with good pay.
These individuals initially had no way of knowing that the jobs they were applying for were crime-related. Once they became aware of the nature of the work, they could not escape because the criminals had access to their identification. They were told that their family members would face harm if they tried to leave the group.
Thus, even when perpetrators were arrested, they were merely pawns who did not understand the full scope of the crime. As a result, it has been challenging to uncover the entire scheme and hold the gangsters accountable.
Furthermore, it is unforgivable that older individuals in their 70s and 80s are being targeted. Japan has experienced a sluggish economy with low growth in the national economy and no increase in salaries over the past 30 years, creating tough times for the younger generation. By contrast, the older generation, who enjoyed high economic growth and rising salaries, have accumulated more savings. Young people are drawn to what appears to be a lucrative deal on social media driven by such circumstances.
We are increasingly relying on social media to obtain information in our daily lives. However, this reliance often impairs judgment.
Here, it is crucial that we cultivate mature judgment. It is deplorable that these vicious robberies and murders are increasing in Japan, a country long regarded as one of the safest and most peaceful in the world.
