[News Terms] 'Yamibaito' Fear... Japan Sees Surge in Demand for Security Products

Recruiting Crime Participants Using Financial Hardship and Quick Cash Bait
White Mask Robbery Case Shocks Japanese Society
Sales of Security and Self-Defense Products Increase Due to New Crime Types

Japan is experiencing damage to its image as a 'public safety powerhouse' following its status as an economic powerhouse. As the Japanese economy stagnates, a series of livelihood-related crimes known as Yamibaito have occurred, creating a climate of fear regarding violent crimes across Japan and expanding the market for security products.

'Yamibaito (闇バイト)' is a Japanese term combining 'yami (闇, やみ),' meaning darkness, and 'baito (バイト),' a shortened form of arubaito (part-time job). It refers to illegal 'dark part-time jobs.'

According to crime statistics from the Japanese National Police Agency, there were 1,361 robbery cases in Japan last year, an 18.6% increase compared to 2022. The number of arrests also rose by 16.2% (from 1,060 to 1,232 cases) during the same period. Notably, 18 robbery cases related to Yamibaito occurred since late August last year, with 40 people involved in 15 of these cases arrested.

Robbery Incident at a Luxury Watch Store in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Photo source: YouTube

Yamibaito involves a structure consisting of masterminds who plan and direct crimes, 'intermediaries' who recruit people via social networking services (SNS), and 'perpetrators' who carry out the crimes. They lure youths and young adults with high-paying part-time jobs under the pretext of financial hardship or urgent cash needs, and those who accept become involved in criminal activities. These individuals often do not know each other personally or even by name. Operated like a loosely connected network, it is difficult to trace other participants even if one member is caught. In March last year, the Japanese government established emergency measures to eradicate Yamibaito and began continuous monitoring of related posts on the internet.

A representative case is the 'White Mask Robbery Incident' that occurred on Tokyo's Ginza street. Around 6:30 p.m. on May 8 last year, men wearing masks stormed a luxury watch specialty store in Ginza, Tokyo, threatened employees with weapons, and stole about 100 luxury watches and approximately 100 million yen (1 billion won). These men wore black clothes and white masks and committed the crime without regard for the crowds during rush hour. It was later revealed that all four arrested suspects were teenagers, shocking Japanese society.

The emergence of this new form of crime has spread anxiety about a security gap among the Japanese public. According to a 'Public Safety Survey' conducted by the Japanese National Police Agency in October last year, 71.9% of respondents answered that public safety had 'worsened' or 'somewhat worsened' over the past 10 years. This figure increased by 4.8 percentage points compared to 2022.

Interest in public safety is also evident in surveys conducted by local governments in Japan. In a 'Public Opinion Survey on Residents' Lives' released by the Tokyo Metropolitan Policy Planning Bureau in January, 40.2% of respondents selected 'public safety measures' as the issue Tokyo should particularly focus on. This indicates that public safety is a major concern among Tokyo residents.

Yamibaito Eradication Poster
Photo by Ibaraki Prefectural Police Headquarters Website

As public anxiety grows, demand for security products is surging. According to Japan’s home center Cainz, at its regional franchise store FC Kofu Showa branch, sales of outdoor sensor lights soared more than sevenfold during the week of October 21?27 compared to the same period last year. Sales of security films increased 2.8 times, auxiliary locks 2.5 times, and security cameras 2.2 times. At the Ichihara branch, inquiries about security measures increased, leading to the establishment of a dedicated security product display since September.

The range of security products is expanding to meet diverse consumer needs. Auxiliary locks, security cameras, and security films that prevent glass breakage have become representative security products easily used in ordinary homes. Unique security items such as 'method gravel,' which amplifies the footsteps of outsiders approaching gardens or entrances, are also gaining attention. In addition to home security products, personal self-defense items are also popular.