NHK producer allegedly involved in shoplifting

Tuesday 02nd December, 01:59 AM JST

TOKYO —

An executive producer of Japan Broadcasting Corp (NHK) is suspected of involvement in a case of shoplifting, NHK and police said Monday.

The 52-year-old male producer, who headed the award-winning popular documentary program ‘‘Project X—Challengers,’’ is believed to have stolen several items of clothing worth 7,300 yen at a store near NHK’s broadcasting center in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Sunday, according to police. Koji Yahata, an NHK board member, apologized at a press conference Monday. ‘‘We will deal with the producer strictly after confirming what he really did,’’ Yahata said.

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9 Comments

kokuryu at 09:52 AM JST - 2nd December

My question is, if he is a producer, why did he shoplift? Is this the way of life for those who are richer than others, that they believe they can just take whatever they want wherever they want? This does not make any sense.
bdiego at 10:22 AM JST - 2nd December

Studies show most kleptomaniacs (i.e. hardcore shoplifters/thieves) don't need to steal - at least not financially. Some people are addicted psychologically.
spiderman at 10:36 AM JST - 2nd December

the urge of stealing something is really hard to resist for those kleptos...
Apsara at 10:47 AM JST - 2nd December

Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting a few years back- fairly cheap items that she could have easily bought. It has little to do with wanting the goods or thinking they can take what they want, and a lot to do with the thrill and/or a plea for attention.
techall at 11:54 AM JST - 2nd December

Apsara: Well, this guy is certainly getting attention! You are right about kleptomania being a disease however. I hope NHK offers him some professional help after they fire him.
dennis0bauer at 03:19 PM JST - 2nd December

"We will deal with the producer strictly after confirming what he really did"

suspended sentence?
telecasterplayer at 03:41 PM JST - 2nd December

The 52-year-old male producer, who headed the award-winning popular documentary program ‘‘Project X—Challengers,’’ is believed to have stolen several items of clothing worth 7,300 yen at a store near NHK’s broadcasting center in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Sunday

Are they really looking that closely for shoplifters? I've been in many Japanese stores, not just tourist traps, and got the impression that there isn't much in the way of anti-theft, other than the occasional coded tag that would set-off an alarm. The crowds in some stores would make it impossible for a store detective to see anything.
BBLeo at 06:37 PM JST - 2nd December

Perhaps he was shoplifting to learn how to produce the next TV show. Some producers do that for experience. Very charming producer now he is a star. I would like to hear from his mouth on TV why he did shoplifting? No one would force to do that, oh, is he married and did it for his wife, otherwise for his girlfriend or just for good looks?
trev93 at 12:01 PM JST - 3rd December

Judging from this, seems NHK has tight budgets not only for free lancers, but for their own employees.