A thief in Japan got a rough lesson in modern technology after stealing a bag from a man in Kabukicho.
In December 2024, 35-year-old Takahashi Motoki rode up behind a man on what appeared to be a food delivery motorbike and snatched the bag off him, reports FNN. The thief got a good haul, speeding off with 850,000 yen (USD $5,444) in cash.
Sadly for the incompetent thief, he failed to see what else was in the bag: a pair of Apple AirPods with location tracking enabled.
Police used the function to see the man speeding towards Chiba Prefecture. They then narrowed down his location further using security cameras and arrested him.
Police say they’re investigating whether Takahashi is responsible for seven other bag thefts in Shinjuku and Ginza.
Planning a trip to Japan? Get an authentic, interpreted experience from Unseen Japan Tours and see a side of the country others miss!

"Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget." - Kate and Simon S., Australia

See a side of Tokyo that other tourists can't. Book a tour with Unseen Japan Tours - we'll tailor your trip to your interests and guide you through experiences usually closed off to non-Japanese speakers.


Want more news and views from Japan? Donate $5/month ($60 one-time donation) to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund to join Unseen Japan Insider. You'll get our Insider newsletter with more news and deep dives, a chance to get your burning Japan questions answered, and a voice in our future editorial direction.
Why this page doesn't look like crap
You may notice a few things about this page. First, it’s mostly content – not ads. Second, this article was written by a human, not a plagiaristic Turing machine.
Unseen Japan is a collective of independent authors. We work hard to keep our content free of intrusive ads and AI slop.
Help us keep it that way. Donate to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund to support our work. Regular donors will receive Insider, our paid newsletter with weekly bonus content about Japan. Plus, your contribution will help us produce more content like this.
What to read next

Trouble in TOKIO: Another Sexual Harassment Scandal Rocks Japanese TV
Following in the wake of the Nakai Masahiro scandal, another pop/TV star stands accused of multiple acts of harassment against staff.

The Host Is Toast: Japan Approves Law To Crack Down On Host Club Hustlers
Hosts, Japan’s grey zone version of aggressive gigolos, are about to find themselves in serious trouble. The predatory practices of these good looking guys with too much hair gel are now punishable by law.

Bold “Dark Part-Time” Thieves in Japan Are Now Stealing From Yakuza
A case in Saga Prefecture tells of a bold new example of “yami-baito” targeting Japan’s infamous (and dwindling) crime families.