Fukuoka man cleared of theft charges because he was 'only borrowing' victim’s bike

Clearly the missing part is the “Excuse me, may I use your bicycle?” Question.

I think all criminals need his defense attorney. He argued theft in a way that makes sense.

we Are all born into this world with no material possessions. Therefore all material objects should be shared freely with all people.

I got my bike knocked over many times when visiting super markets, restaurants, etc, sometimes getting a broken mirror, or a broken brake handle, and air let out of tires, and rear rim cracked, and bike basket cover slashed. Be careful where you park your bike, from the loser watching bums. I also now chain my bike up to a fence rail, to make it harder to knock over, and try to park in easy view, and come out to check on it. -dam shame.

It’s simply cheaper for the tax payer to let him go with it than to construct and fill up dozens of new prisons throughout the country for him and similar ‘small’ cases like this one, shoplifting elderlies for example. All those people want to be caught and fully supported in the prisons nowadays.

I always rode bicycle carried receipt from the Bicycle shop and park in the guarded station bike parking and locked.

Also, put my bike in the apartment. So I never lost my bike.

Why didn't owner locked the bike?

I give away my almost as new bicycle to Akabou driver who want to buy for his son when I moved back to Kameari, Katsushika-ku from Saitama-ken. I gave him bike receipt too when gave my bike to the Akabou driver. Bike shop receipt is very important to carry with you. Otherwise, Police will ask many question and invite you to Koban.

He cannot take bike without owner permission. He had stolen the bike regardless of put it back or not.

Also, he broke the parole condition regardless of he returned bike to where he took it. It was theft.

Also, he was criminal and was relessed from prison with parole.

Good on you Judge. The thief was lucky with judge this time.

I know some thief will dump the bike when he finished his journey.

Stupid, self righteous judge! Its not up to him to decide if its theft or borrowing! Its up to the owner of the bicycle!

And if they cannot locate the owner? Then they have proof of nothing and this should not have even gone to trial. If they cannot locate the owner then its quite likely the bicycle was abandoned and as such, now belongs to the man. But if we do not allow that maybe the bicycle was abandoned, then a change from one hour of unpermitted use to 12 hours is a HUGE deviation that certainly does indicate intent to keep the bicycle.

But most people are going to agree that any borrowing without consent is too close to theft to quibble about. If its not then I should get no charges or jail time for refusing to pay fees on a rental. Pure insanity. Or maybe this "judge" is so old its dementia?

Is it also possible to borrow a stranger's car or bed without asking?

we Are all born into this world with no material possessions. Therefore all material objects should be shared freely with all people.

Really. You wont mind if I borrow your credit card for 12 hours then. No?

But most people are going to agree that any borrowing without consent is too close to theft to quibble about. If its not then I should get no charges or jail time for refusing to pay fees on a rental. Pure insanity. Or maybe this "judge" is so old its dementia?

Agreed. And what if the bicycle’s owner had plans and needed to use his own bicycle - but its been taken for 12 hours and counting?

An absurd ruling. The judge’s competence needs to be re-evaluated.

I need a bank loan. Can I go behind the counter and help myself?

I need a bank loan. Can I go behind the counter and help myself?

Oh yes you can !!! Just don't forget to apply lemon juice on your face....( Lol )

Interesting case. The legal definition of theft in many jurisdictions in Australia includes ‘intent to permanently deprive the owner of something’. Shoplifters usually say they had no intention to return items they stole so are charged with theft.

Car thieves are usually charged with ‘taking motor vehicle without consent as they just want a joy ride.

This is all because of bike companies being too greedy and making it just too expensive. Can't they build good quality at low price.

Why the frame has to be such expensive i don't understand, it's just metal. The other tough metal items aren't pricey.

Still, the judge ruled that on the basis of his previous usage, half a day was “not beyond the scope of borrowing.”

Remind me never to move to this judge's town.

BackpackingNepal..... You seem to have a great business model. When are you going to start your “good quality, low price” bicycle range? :)

Really. You wont mind if I borrow your credit card for 12 hours then. No?

Bad example, really.

"Theft Act 1968 (UK); Japan's must be similar.

Basic definition of theft

S. (1)

A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly."

Consequently:

"man was found not guilty of theft after successfully demonstrating that he was just repeatedly borrowing a bicycle without permission from the parking area of a housing complex."

As successfully demonstrated there was no intention to permanently deprive as the bike had been always returned following each "borrowing".

The Right Honourable was correct.

Let's hear from the Nihongo extraordinaire.

Interesting case. The legal definition of theft in many jurisdictions in Australia includes ‘intent to permanently deprive the owner of something’.

I was about to post something similar. It does come down to the definition of theft. If the bike is always returned the same day, and this can be evidenced, then it can only be classified as borrowing without consent.

What he did was wrong, but it wasn't theft.

Some friends of mine got picked up by the police for taking bikes for a quick ride late at night while waiting for the last train home. They were drunk, of course, and the police accepted that they were not attempting to steal them

Really. You wont mind if I borrow your credit card for 12 hours then. No?

He was being sarcastic. He is a right-winger, so would probably prefer a biblical punishment.

LOL here we go with another news about bikes getting stollen. Very common in Japan. Too lazy to walk from the trainstation let me go find a unlocked mamachari and head home. And Japan is pretty peaceful country so the jcops are bored and have nothing better to do than intentionally try to capture a guy riding a stolen bike because why its soo common in Japan. Funny story thought first time i here not getting panalized. I wonder how long they stick you in prison for stealing a bike?

I'm guessing there was no owner in sight The original owner probably left it when moving, so the criminal wasn't hurting anyone (this time). If that is the case, it would be ridiculous to charge him, even if it wasn't registered in his name. Of course we'll never no for sure because the article doesn't say anything about the bike's owner.

I wonder, was the owner arrested for repeatedly making false claims of a Stolen bicycle ?

I can just see it now, owner finds bicycle gone in the morning, reports it to the Police during his lunch break, comes back in the evening to meet the Police at his apartment, only to find the bicycle where he left it...

Bike shop receipt is very important to carry with you. Otherwise, Police will ask many question and invite you to Koban.

Really? why register it in the first place then? is kinda stupid to have to keep carrying the receipt for something you bought and register already.

Is the same as if i buy a phone and i have to carry the receipt because probably a stupid lazy police creep stops me to wander if my phone is mine.. or i will have to go to the koban... that´s just bullsh...t