Fake Tourist Scams Japanese in Bangkok
A TV news report about the arrest of a Thai “new half” (ladyboy?) who was arrested for scamming Japanese tourists:
Nice t-shirt!
The suspect approached a Japanese tourist on the streets of Bangkok, claiming to be a Korean tourist who had lost her passport and money. She said she would soon be receiving money from family in Korea, but needed to use the Japanese man’s bank card. After taking a considerable amount of money from the man’s account, she disappeared.
Thai police arrested her for a similar scam, in which she had told another Japanese man that she was a tourist from Singapore. It was later determined that she was also responsible for the “Korean” scam. In both instances, she had used broken English to convince the unsuspecting Japanese tourists that she was a non-Thai person who needed their help.
The Japanese embassy in Bangkok has warned that this kind of scam is not rare.
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
Categories: Odd / Strange
Japanese Man Impersonates Beyoncé
Japanese comedian Yoshio Kojima performs Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love”:
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
Categories: Japanese TV, Odd / Strange
Police Failed to Recognize Most Wanted Criminal
For the past 16 years, Japanese police have been looking for Aum Shinrikyo member Makoto Hirata. Images of his face have appeared on thousands of wanted posters, but police failed to find Hirata.
All of that changed on the night of December 31st, when Hirata tried to turn himself in to police. But before he could find someone willing to place him under arrest, he was given several opportunities to change his mind and remain a fugitive.
- Before 9:00 PM – Hirata went to the Osaki police station in Tokyo, but couldn’t locate its entrance.
- Shortly after 9:00 PM – Hirata tried used a pay phone to call up the police and report his willingness to surrender, but after about 10 attempts he could not get through to them.
- 11:35 PM – Hirata traveled across town to the police HQ in Kasumigaseki, found an officer on guard duty, and announced his identity. The officer thought Hirata was joking, and told him to surrender himself at a normal police station instead.
- 11:50 PM – Hirata walked 600 meters to the Marunouchi police station, where he finally found an officer willing to place him under arrest.
A truly mind-boggling series of events. One can only hope that the officer who turned away Hirata was not a representative example of Tokyo police officers. (And if it actually is so hard to call up the police and report a sighting of a wanted criminal, the Police really need to make some improvements.)
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
Categories: Odd / Strange
Dead Humpback Whale Washes Ashore in Kanagawa Prefecture
Video of a whale that washed ashore in Kanagawa prefecture this morning:
The whale, which was a male humpback, apparently died several days ago. The Odawara city government is looking in to disposal methods (which will probably not include eating the whale, as few people like rotten meat).
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
Categories: Odd / Strange
The Barehanded Beekeeper
Meet Hisaki Nasu, a 77-year-old farmer in Miyazaki prefecture with a hands-on approach to beekeeping:
This man sticks his bare hands inside the hive! He claims that they don’t sting him because he’s being gentle. (And the honey bees apparently do not sting the camerman either – but don’t try this at home, kids.)
The honey from his farm has a particularly good reputation for being sweet and tasty. A 1.8 liter bottle sells for over 300 dollars. If you want to order some, you’ll have to get on a 3 year waiting list.
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
Categories: Odd / Strange
Video: Sledding Granny
An 86-year-old woman in Nagano prefecture who isn’t afraid to go sledding:
She has a job delivering mail for the local post office. In winter months it can be quite dangerous to walk down roads covered with snow and ice, so she uses a sled instead!
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
Categories: Odd / Strange