Journalist arrested for shoplifting while in Hokkaido town to report on sunken tour boat

Cleptomaniac

Yes, klepto, she needs help before it ruins her life.

It's not too late, at age 24 she can be medically treated and released, these condition start at an early age 5 or 6 years old where the patient thinks and act in a way where taking things or so called ( Stealing) is normal, it is treatable and I hope she gets the care she needs.

But my Big take on this article is - Why does a shoplifting incident of $20 worth of goods , necessitate the nationwide plastering of the person's name & job.''

I am glad to see name and shame articles for repeat offenders, especially for major crimes and repeat offenders. This does not seem to be a major crime. Where are the name and shame articles for corrupt officials or police or older people?

allegedly shoplifted nine food items, including a bento box lunch and candy

One item probably you can get away but nine items?

I know someone who's son repeatedly has taken stuff, valued less than mentioned here.

He was just sentenced to 18 months.

Yes, get help girl.

She's sick cleptomaniac

Ah, yes. The ol' misandrist double standard:

If a woman steals NINE items: "Oh, the poor dear. She needs "help"

If a man steals ONE item: "Throw him in jail!"

As others stated - she most likely has some kind of compulsive behaviour condition behind her acts. The court should be referring her to the necessary agencies for help.

But my Big take on this article is - Why does a shoplifting incident of $20 worth of goods , necessitate the nationwide plastering of the person's name & job.

In oh-so-sensitive-Japan, this is like a dagger to the heart, a potential ruination of a seemingly positive future for the young woman.

Being publicly drawn and quartered for such a minor misdemeanor is not warranted.

Truly hope the authorities help with her mental health.

Good point @browny1

this story might be something you would expect to read in a local newspaper but it is hardly worth of making news across the nation - it’s such a minor crime and the fact that it is very likely related to a mental health issue should be taken into consideration. Irresponsible reporting.

I don’t think the national plastering of this story was designed to harm the young woman. I think the story is used as a warning for would be shoplifters and to throw a bit of shade on a rival media company.

Japan still has a lot to learn about addressing mental illnesses, and that factor had a lot to deal with the scale this story was released.

Ok to be fair she committed the crime and stole. That’s her fault. But it’s such a petty crime and it doesn’t seem to warrant plastering her name across national media when there are so many stories of “18 yo kills mother but he cannot be named because he is a minor”. Such hypocrisy. I guess in Japan stealing less than 3,000 yen of food merits naming and shaming but murder does not.

Woman is nationally ashamed for a few thousand yens.

Media are totally out of mind.

This is to hide all the corruption.

Ah, yes. The ol' misandrist double standard:

If a woman steals NINE items: "Oh, the poor dear. She needs "help"

If a man steals ONE item: "Throw him in jail!"

Agreed. I'm sick and tired of this double-standard. What she needs is a few months in the slammer.

Ruining her name and reputation for less than 3,000 yen seems harsh. She’ll never be able to get another job in the same field ever again. Either she’s a klepto or journalism doesn’t pay as much as I thought. Is arresting her and spending the time and money to so worth it? Why not give her a slap on the wrist, pay a penalty and do community service instead of destroying her life?

Sounds like there will be an opening for a journalist at Yomiuri Sapporo.

LOL she was a journalist. Her journey was going into stores and lifting things for free. I wonder if she will write a report about her shoplifting experience. That is if she still has a job.

Just send the security footage to a private investigator who finds out who the person was, and then send that person the bill for the stolen items, the cost of private investigation, and cost for lost time and inconvenience.

It happens when you are being overworked and your salary is paltry.

Do not steal though not nice!

She is the worst type of person there is, i would refuse to be her co worker.

At least wasn’t bicycle seats, gym shoes or panties. She needs help though.

Her life has already been ruined. Well she ruined it herself! Now she can't get a job anywhere as this stays on her record for life and you must inform any future employer of any criminal record. So she has only one option and that is to become self employed...

She was like, man this sinking boat stuff is depressing. I gotta get my HiChew on!