Japan police warn of risks in criminal “dark part-time jobs”

Authorities are issuing urgent warnings regarding “dark part-time jobs” (yami baito), where individuals are recruited through high-paying advertisements to participate in crimes such as robbery and special fraud.

Hanako Tominaga from the National Police Agency highlighted that while some youths are unaware of the criminal nature of these roles, there is a growing trend of individuals knowingly participating for immediate financial gain. These recruits are often treated as “disposable pawns” by criminal organizations and are frequently coerced into continuing their involvement through threats.

Statistics show that in the past year, over 12,000 people were apprehended in connection with these crimes, including more than 1,300 minors. The legal consequences are severe; for instance, those involved in robberies resulting in death can face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Even for minors, sentences can be substantial, with recent cases involving young adults receiving prison terms of up to 23 years.