NHK part-time fee collector arrested for robbing convenience store in Tokyo

Friday 26th September, 10:36 AM JST

TOKYO —

Police on Thursday arrested a 52-year-old part-time worker at NHK for allegedly stealing 496,000 yen from a convenience store in Oshima, Tokyo. Naoyuki Tsubokawa was arrested for allegedly stealing the money at the store around 7:20 p.m. on Sept 11.

According to police investigations, the suspect entered the shop’s back office after he asked staff if he could use the toilet. He stole the money which was on the desk in the office. Police said Tsubokawa works part-time for the shop as well. He was quoted by police as saying, “I spent the money I stole on drinking and gambling.”

Tsubokawa worked as a fee collector for NHK. The broadcaster said it fired him after his arrest.

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Latest 15 of 18 Total Comments Show All

kill_da_cat at 12:21 PM JST - 26th September

If people would just pay the NHK fee, it wouldn't be harassing.
DenshaDeGO at 12:43 PM JST - 26th September

If people would just pay the NHK fee, it wouldn't be harassing

You don't know much about NHK, do you?
timeon at 12:56 PM JST - 26th September

so they keep their money on the desk? paradise for thieves
BBLeo at 01:06 PM JST - 26th September

“I spent the money I stole on drinking and gambling.”... Well in his own words that is his entertainment. Shop owner should keep his money in the safe, you can blame thief, 'MONEY IS AN ATTRACTION TO THE WHOLE WORLD.' It is amazing to read this incident, that was performed on September 11. Why took so long cops to nab him? 'RHERE'S THE RUB: ROB TODAY GET NABBED AFTER TWO WEEKS OR NEVER.'
kill_da_cat at 01:36 PM JST - 26th September

You don't know much about NHK, do you?

I know that I pay for the service in full once a year and that's it. I've been paying for NHK for 9 years now and I've never had a problem with the collector. In fact she's a very polite woman.
kawabunga at 01:48 PM JST - 26th September

Don't even get me started on NHK. It is a rule NOT a law to pay NHK. We don't watch it, we don't need it and we are not gonna pay for it. My husband even told them we would block the channel IF we could. We pay for what we use and we don't use/need/watch NHK so why do they continue to bother us? Just because everybody does it doesn't mean you have to do it. Japanese need to stand up for their rights man! Just say NO folks! You don't have to pay!

Moderator: Readers please stay on topic. Whether or not you should pay NHK fees is not relevant.
CavemanLawyer at 02:23 PM JST - 26th September

It turns out that the convenience store owner did not pay his NHK fees for a few years, so its all good. Tsubokawa just took what was owed, plus some late fees.

“I spent the money I stole on drinking and gambling.”

That is where NHK fees all go. Didn't you know?
dennis0bauer at 03:26 PM JST - 26th September

He kept the economy going so what is his crime? :p
Nessie at 04:00 PM JST - 26th September

Better they rob the konbini than rob me.
serindipity at 04:10 PM JST - 26th September

I'm confused! Is the story about the fact he was part-time NHK fee collector or is it about his robberies?
thepro at 05:57 PM JST - 26th September

That's the same thing
jeancolmar at 07:53 PM JST - 26th September

“I spent the money I stole on drinking and gambling.” What about women?
MeanRingo at 05:02 AM JST - 27th September

I thought gambling was illegal in Japan? How could he gamble then?
WilliB at 06:44 PM JST - 27th September

Mean Ringo:

" I thought gambling was illegal in Japan? How could he gamble then? "

Robbing combinis is illegal too, isnt´t it?
Osakadaz at 09:09 AM JST - 29th September

now thsi si what happens when we 'Sorry, no Japanese!!' 'Sorry,no TV!!' these poor souls..LOL