Visitors are arrested after thousands of stolen crabs are found

Initially, a few strange scratches in some luggage turned into one of Japan’s largest wildlife smuggling busts. Three Chinese tourists were arrested in Kagoshima County on May 6 after authorities found between 2,000 and 3,000 protected land sojourning crabs squeezed into their suitcases.

The suspects – Lion Zhibin, 24, Song Zhanhao, 26, and Guo Jiawei, 27, were detained for suspected violations of Japan’s Cultural Property Protection Act. The weight of crabs is about 160 kg, and is known locally as Okeado-kari and is protected as a national nature monument.

The discovery happened after the hotel staff noticed something strange. “We kept hearing the rustling from the suitcases we stored for these guests,” a hotel manager told investigators. “We were stunned as we looked inside – bags filled with hermit crabs.”

Why are these crabs important

Okeado-Kari plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of southern Japan’s islands, including the Amami Islands where the events occurred. The confiscated crabs were identified as Murasaki okeado-kari and Naki okeado-kari, both protected species of southern islands.

“I’m angry at this incident,” said Katsuki Oki, president of the Amami Marine Biological Research Association. “These organisms play a vital role in our ecosystems as decomposition agents, eating fruits such as Pandanus and breaking down organic matter to provide nutrients to the soil.”

“This seems to be a carefully planned action targeting the various coastal areas,” Oki noted. “The most important thing now is to properly investigate where they are harvested from illegally and return them to nature as soon as possible.”

The crabs are currently being preserved in a facility in Amami City, and about 20 have died since the rescue. If a specific collection site cannot be identified, the authorities plan to allocate crabs in different areas of the island to minimize ecological impact.

Wildlife trafficking in Japan

The case underscores Japan’s ongoing concerns about wildlife trafficking, especially involving its endemic species. In recent years, authorities have stepped up enforcement of illegal collection and export of Japanese species that are often sought abroad for exotic pet markets.

If Japan’s strict wildlife protection laws are convicted, the suspect could face significant fines and imprisonment. The Cultural Property Protection Act fines up to five years for persons who illegally collect or own designated natural monuments, with a maximum fine of 5 million yen.

“Although they are easy to observe on the beaches of Amami, these hermit crabs are an integral part of our island’s biodiversity,” Oki emphasized. “Their conservation is crucial to maintaining our delicate coastal ecosystem.”

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