Man arrested for stealing books says he just wanted to read but had no money

Why not go to a public library, where he can read or access books on line.

Get a library card, bub. It's free.

Isn't there something called a library, where you can read all the books you want for no money?

He should think about finding a job working in a library or a book store if he loves reading. It will solve his unemployment issue and his need to read books. Stealing is not the way. Especially considering book stores usually already have a very hard time making a living due to the digital age.

Ditto: library.

Kind of feel sorry for the guy but as others have said, library. You can stay all day and read as much as you want for free without anyone bothering you.

While I certainly feel for the man, stealing is not the answer. Especially when there are public libraries where people can read all the books they want -- for free.

Plead him out guilty, give him probation or a suspended sentence -- and last but not least, issue him a library card as well as a map showing the nearest libraries to his residence.

And it seems that the media are implying something in the first sentence: "... suspicion of stealing books from a large bookstore."

Is the media implying that since it was a large bookstore, stealing a few books from it is no big deal? That for a large bookstore, a few lost inventory items aren't much of a loss?

I hope not, but it sure seems so.

The seventh commandment doesn't have any footnotes or sub-clauses saying that it's okay to steal if the victim is rich or is a large company.

What is wrong with people?

I feel for the guy.

Library books are pretty grotty sometimes. You never know who’s had their hands on them before you. And there’s hardly any choice. I must’ve read Anne of Green Gables 30+ times since I’ve been in Japan.

Let’s hope that this incident prompts a more up to date library inventory up and down the country real soon!

 5,280 yen

It doesnt matter the circumstances, with the unemployment rate by 2.6 it's really hard to believe someone doesnt have 5,000 available for whatever they want.

52 years old, an "avid reader". What a perfect good for nothing!

Way too much time on his hands..one of the worst neighbors you can have, those people you bump into multiple times a week, whenever you go to work, go take out the trash, etc.

So glad that shoplifting makes national news in Japan. In my country and most of the rest of the world it would never squeeze a place on the headlines...too much heavy stuff going on.

Thank God for peaceful and relatively stable and safe Japan.

The poor fellow is clearly mentally I'll.

"The poor fellow is clearly mentally I'll."

I'll what?

Sounds too thick to be able to read. He was stealing them to resell.

When was a kid I thought libraries are for herds, but now I hang out in my local one a lot. Especially when it snowing or 36 degrees.

if a man is homeless i bet he doesnt even have money for a library registration fee, does he?

Says "the man, of no fixed address". Maybe he needs an address to get a library card. You might even need one to sell things at BookOff. Maybe he wants to read them.

KabutoToday  10:59 am JST

"Library books are pretty grotty sometimes. You never know who’s had their hands on them before you. And there’s hardly any choice. I must’ve read Anne of Green Gables 30+ times since I’ve been in Japan."

I am assuming you do not read Japanese. The selection in English at most libraries is limited but there are some. Try going to an American or English library and finding books in Japanese.

Libraries require ID with current residence or a company ID if working locally. He has neither, so no books for him.

A lack of knowledge combined with a lack of empathy doesn’t make someone much of a person.

Seen this happen a few times myself but ignored it due to possible police interest being diverted to me instead of the perp..,

Well they've certainly made the streets safer, well done boys. Seriously?

I feel sorry for this guy. Maybe he's one of those hikkikomori with no money pursuing his hobbies.

A security guard on patrol saw the man pick up the books and leave the store without paying for them. He detained the man while a bookstore employee called police.

I wish they sorted it out back then without involving police. its not that difficult, was it? especially because the man didn't seem to be aggressive or anything. poor lamb.