Police said Thursday they have arrested two men in Tokyo on suspicion of illegally dumping old batteries on the streets of Sumida Ward.
According to police, 35-year-old Mitsunobu Kimura, a former Teikei Force security company employee, and an accomplice dumped 2,250 used guide light batteries on the streets in January.
TV Asahi quoted police as saying the pair have confessed to dumping the batteries when the streets were deserted. The men are currently being questioned in connection with other dumping incidents in the area.
© Japan Today
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combinibento
Given that the incident occurred in January and it's just now making the headlines, I'm guessing I now know how long it takes to actually count 2,250 batteries.
Nessie
What is a "guide light"?
Jack Stern
Couldn't they just bring them to a few large electric shops? They have recycle bins. How dumb.
Warped Gaijin
Crime in Japan makes me LOL
SauloJpn
Charged for not using rechargeable batteries!!!
Virtuoso
I've always suspected that the businesses that charge for waste pickup collect your money and then just turn around and dump stuff illegally. It's not the dumping per se, but the fraud involved, that would make it a more serious crime.
Magnus Roe
It seems this article had a bit of google translate syndrome :P The batteries were from exit signs used in building evacuation lights. They're usually NiCa or lead acid, calcium acid, etc. type batteries.
timeon
These dangerous criminals should be severely punished.
Kapuna
Is there a way to "legally" dump old batteries on the street? Why are they under suspecion if they have admitted to dumping the batteries?
Nessie
Thanks, Magnus.
Get Real
This happens when local government charges so much to accept waste - or even refuses to provide the facilities on cost grounds. Try disposing of domestic asbestos.
Recycling/disposal should be funded at point of purchase, not end of life, but try getting that passed by Japan Inc.'s political wet-nurses.
At least this e-waste didn't end up fly tipped on the usual mountain bend somewhere.
Mirai Hayashi
@Get Real
This is true, but I suspect that these guys were given money to dispose of the batteries legally by their company, but chose to pocket the cash and just dump it on the streets...hence they are "former employees"
LaymansTerms
After reviewing the evidence, we found that in the case of the spent batteries, the charges will not hold-up.
Brian Wheway
I would like to know what the police have charged them with? assault and battery?
Ian Duncan
It's their own volt. Ohm y goodness. Watt ever next?
Brian Wheway
The spoke persons for the police dept, Inspector lithium and sergeant NiCad, said“ The police have now discharged them as the case has gone flat”
Magnus Roe
Asbestos does cost a lot to handle and is hardly a good example. E-waste you can 90% of the time drop off at a 2nd hand store, Hard off will buy almost anything and usually accept any junk along with it too as long as it's not all trash. And at least in the wards I've lived in in Tokyo, throwing away stuff is pretty cheap, if tedious with the stamp registrations and scheduling chore.