30-04-2025
Japan's Kanagawa Pref. police mistakenly arrest Thai woman for not carrying passport
YOKOHAMA -- Police in eastern Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture mistakenly arrested a Thai woman for not carrying her passport, failing to notice it inside a sanitary napkin in her possession, it has been learned.
According to investigative sources, Isezaki Police Station officers arrested the woman around the evening of April 28 for allegedly violating the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act by not carrying her passport. During an initial body check at the scene, police failed to find the passport inside the sanitary napkin. It was only discovered during a subsequent search after her arrest.
The police station temporarily released the woman, but arrested her again under the same law on suspicion of residing in the country illegally after a check with immigration authorities reinforced suspicions that she had overstayed her visa.
A prefectural police representative commented, "We conducted a thorough investigation, including a body check. At this point, we believe the investigation was appropriate."
(Japanese original by Chika Yokomi, Yokohama Bureau)
