Latest news with #LiaoZhibin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Authorities make shocking discovery after getting tip from hotel worker about suspicious suitcases: 'Heard rustling sounds'
Japanese police arrested three Chinese nationals after thousands of hermit crabs were found in their suitcase. The three Chinese suspects, Liao Zhibin, 24, Song Zhenhao, 26, and Guo Jiawei, 27, were found to have hundreds of pounds worth of live hermit crabs in their possession on the Amami Islands in Japan. A Japanese police officer told CNN, "[A hotel worker] heard rustling sounds coming from a suitcase that was being held in storage." The spiral-shelled hermit crab species that they attempted to steal is protected under Japanese law and is said to be a "national natural monument" because of its value culturally and scientifically. It is unknown why exactly the men were stealing the crabs at this time, but it seems like another classic case of illegal animal smuggling. The topic of animal smuggling is a dark and cruel one that environmentalists everywhere are fighting against. By illegally smuggling foreign species, perpetrators can introduce invasive animals into ecosystems, disrupting their natural balance and harming native wildlife. Invasive species threaten biodiversity and strain environmental conservation efforts. As for hermit crabs, specifically, this is a species that has already endured a lot in the face of the changing climate. Numerous reports have stated that hermit crab species in some areas have begun using trash and waste as shells, due to the large amount of litter on the beaches. With these hermit crabs already fighting an uphill battle, it is not a surprise that Japanese law enforcement is taking this case very seriously. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Animal smuggling and the side effects of introducing an invasive species are significantly harmful to the goal of creating a better, cleaner future for all. This is why countries, like Japan, have laws in place to safeguard against these practices. While it varies for each country, punishments for crimes like these are often heavy fines or significant jail time. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Tokyo Weekender
12-05-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
Crustacean Crime: Tourists Arrested in Japan After Thousands of Stolen Crabs Found in Suitcases
What started as a few odd scratching noises from some luggage turned into one of the biggest wildlife smuggling busts in Japan. On May 6, three Chinese tourists were arrested in Kagoshima Prefecture after authorities found between 2,000 and 3,000 protected land hermit crabs packed into their suitcases. The suspects — Liao Zhibin, 24, Song Zhanhao, 26, and Guo Jiawei, 27, — were taken into custody for allegedly violating Japan's Cultural Properties Protection Law. The crabs, weighing a total of about 160 kilograms, are known locally as okayado-kari and are protected as National Natural Monuments. The discovery came after hotel staff noticed something strange. 'We kept hearing rustling coming from the suitcases we were storing for these guests,' a hotel manager told investigators. 'When we looked inside, we were stunned — bags full of hermit crabs.' List of Contents: Why These Crabs Matter Wildlife Trafficking in Japan Related Posts Why These Crabs Matter Okayado-kari play a vital role in the ecosystems of Japan's southern islands, including the Amami archipelago where the incident took place. The confiscated crabs have been identified as Murasaki Okayado-kari and Naki Okayado-kari, both protected species native to the southern islands. 'I feel furious about this incident,' said Katsuki Oki, chairperson of the Amami Marine Biology Research Association, which is now overseeing the crabs' care. 'These creatures play a crucial role as decomposers in our ecosystem, eating fruits like pandanus and breaking down organic matter that provides nutrients to the soil.' 'It appears to be a carefully planned operation targeting various coastal areas,' Oki noted. 'The most important thing now is to properly investigate where they were illegally harvested from and return them to nature as quickly as possible.' The crabs are currently being kept at a facility in Amami city, where approximately 20 have already died since their rescue. If the specific collection sites cannot be identified, authorities plan to distribute the crabs across different areas around the island to minimize the ecological impact. Wildlife Trafficking in Japan This case highlights ongoing concerns about wildlife trafficking in Japan, particularly involving its endemic species. In recent years, authorities have strengthened enforcement against the illegal collection and export of protected Japanese species, which are often sought for exotic pet markets abroad. The suspects could face substantial fines and imprisonment if convicted under Japan's strict wildlife protection laws. The Cultural Properties Protection Law carries penalties of up to five years in prison or fines of up to ¥5 million for those who illegally collect or possess designated natural monuments. 'Though they're easy to observe on Amami's beaches, these hermit crabs are an integral part of our island's biodiversity,' Oki emphasized. 'Their protection remains essential for maintaining our delicate coastal ecosystems.' Related Posts Can Japan's Illegal Exotic Animal Trade Lead to Another Pandemic? One Man's Quest To Save Okinawa's Coral Reefs From Collapse Artist Aki Inomata Collaborates With Hermit Crabs and Beavers
9 News
11-05-2025
- 9 News
Thousands of protected hermit crabs found smuggled in suitcases in Japan
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Police on a Japanese holiday island have arrested three Chinese nationals after thousands of protected hermit crabs were found stuffed into multiple suitcases. The three suspects – Liao Zhibin, 24, Song Zhenhao, 26, and Guo Jiawei, 27 – were found to have 160 kilograms of the live crustaceans in their possession on Wednesday, according to police on the Amami Islands, near Okinawa. Police said a hotel worker in Amami, a city on the island of Amami Oshima, alerted environmental authorities after spotting something suspicious about the suitcases the three men had asked hotel staff to watch. Police on a Japanese holiday island have arrested three Chinese nationals after thousands of protected hermit crabs were found stuffed into multiple suitcases. (Pete De La Rosa/via CNN) "They heard rustling sounds coming from a suitcase that was being held in storage," a police officer told CNN. Officers later arrived at the hotel and found the spiral-shelled hermit crabs stuffed into six suitcases, according to police. When they returned to the hotel on Wednesday, the three men were arrested for possessing the crustaceans without proper authorisation, Kyodo News reported. It's unknown why the three men were transporting the crustaceans. Police did not provide more detail on the exact species, but told CNN Friday that the hermit crabs seized are classified as "national natural monuments" in Japan because of their cultural and scientific value, and protected under Japanese law. The Amami archipelago, off south-western Kyushu and just north of Okinawa, is a popular tourist destination and known to be home to a diverse array of native plants and animals. crime animals Japan China news Asia World CONTACT US
Times of Oman
11-05-2025
- Times of Oman
Japan arrests three for smuggling protected hermit crabs in suitcases
Okinawa : Three Chinese nationals were arrested on a holiday Island of Japan after thousands of protected hermit crabs were found smuggled in suitcases, CNN reported on Saturday. According to CNN, the police arrested the Chinese nationals after thousands of protected hermit crabs were found stuffed into multiple suitcases. CNN reported, citing the police on Amami Islands that the three suspects - Liao Zhibin, 24, Song Zhenhao, 26, and Guo Jiawei, 27 - were found to have 160 kilograms (353 pounds) of the live crustaceans in their possession on Wednesday. The police said a hotel worker in Amami, a city on the island of Amami Oshima, alerted environmental authorities after spotting something suspicious about the suitcases the three men had asked hotel staff to watch. "They heard rustling sounds coming from a suitcase that was being held in storage," a police officer told CNN. Upon the arrival of officers at the hotel, it was found that the spiral-shelled hermit crabs were stuffed into six suitcases, according to police. When they returned to the hotel on Wednesday, the three men were arrested for possessing the crustaceans without proper authorization, Kyodo News reported, as per CNN. However it continues to remain unclear why the three men were transporting the crustaceans. Police did not provide further details on the exact species, but told CNN Friday that the hermit crabs seized are classified as "national natural monuments" in Japan as they hold cultural and scientific value, and are thereby protected under the Japanese law. As per CNN, the Amami archipelago, off southwestern Kyushu and just north of Okinawa, is a popular tourist destination and known to be home to a diverse array of native plants and animals. As per Kyodo News, the authorities believe the three suspects may have intended to sell the crabs, which were packed in a total of six suitcases. It further noted that the police have not said whether the three have admitted to the allegations.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Three Chinese nationals arrested in Japan after thousands of protected hermit crabs found smuggled in suitcases
Police on a Japanese holiday island have arrested three Chinese nationals after thousands of protected hermit crabs were found stuffed into multiple suitcases. The three suspects – Liao Zhibin, 24, Song Zhenhao, 26, and Guo Jiawei, 27 – were found to have 160 kilograms (353 pounds) of the live crustaceans in their possession on Wednesday, according to police on the Amami Islands, near Okinawa. Police said a hotel worker in Amami, a city on the island of Amami Oshima, alerted environmental authorities after spotting something suspicious about the suitcases the three men had asked hotel staff to watch. 'They heard rustling sounds coming from a suitcase that was being held in storage,' a police officer told CNN. Officers later arrived at the hotel and found the spiral-shelled hermit crabs stuffed into six suitcases, according to police. When they returned to the hotel on Wednesday, the three men were arrested for possessing the crustaceans without proper authorization, Kyodo News reported. It's unknown why the three men were transporting the crustaceans. Police did not provide more detail on the exact species, but told CNN Friday that the hermit crabs seized are classified as 'national natural monuments' in Japan because of their cultural and scientific value, and protected under Japanese law. The Amami archipelago, off southwestern Kyushu and just north of Okinawa, is a popular tourist destination and known to be home to a diverse array of native plants and animals.
