"Why Did This Happen?"... Rented a '700,000 Won Stroller' at Aquarium, Then It Was Taken Away

"If Thefts Continue, Free Rentals May Have to Be Suspended"

A controversy arose after strollers that were lent free of charge to visitors at a Japanese aquarium went missing.

Japanese media outlet Encount reported on the 24th that two strollers lent free of charge at the Otaru Aquarium in Otaru City, Hokkaido, were stolen.

A stolen stroller labeled "Otaru Aquarium Cooperation Association." Otaru Aquarium

According to the report, some of the strollers were donated, but most were purchased with the aquarium's funds. Encount stated that the stolen strollers are worth 70,000 yen (approximately 700,000 KRW).

The strollers posted by the aquarium on social media have labels that read "Otaru Aquarium Cooperative Association" and "For Rental," or bear the aquarium's logo.

The aquarium announced that it will attach larger logos or design stickers that cannot be used outside in the future. They also stated, "If stroller theft incidents continue, we will have no choice but to stop free rentals."