Blatant Ginza Robbery Sheds Spotlight on Japan’s “Dark Gig Economy”

A recent robbery in Tokyo’s Ginza district has gripped Japan — and raised alarm bells about a disturbing new crime trend.

By Jay Allen

In a shocking crime that’s riveted Japan, three men robbed a Rolex store in Tokyo’s ritzy Ginza district in broad daylight. Now, police say some of the suspects they arrested may point to a growing trend among Japanese criminals of using desperate young people as pawns in their heists.

The robbery

The incident occurred on May 8th shortly after 6pm local time. The streets of Ginza were still bustling when three men entered the Rolex shop. They started smashing glass and stealing watches.

What happened next has a feel of an “only in Japan” scene. The country’s strict gun regulations — and strict punishments for possession — means it’s unlikely that even thieves are packing. (Last year, Japan saw a total of two murders by gun. Two. Let that sink in, my fellow Americans.)

That means some people felt little hesitation in walking up to the scene of the crime. Someone caught the brazen incident on film — and also caught sight of a man who walked up and…well, closed the door on the robbers.