Koneko Edoya, left, and Aiko Kato

Fuji TV’s Aiko Kaito appointed captain for a day of efforts to prevent bank transfer scams

Tuesday 30th June, 04:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

News announcer Aiko Kaito, 25, of Fuji TV’s morning news program “Mezamashi terebi,” took part in an event in Asakusa this week, aimed at increasing awareness of fund transfer scams. She wore a sash which said: “Ichinichi furikome sagi boshi taicho,” a role putting her in charge of preventing bank transfer scams for the day.

She said: “These kinds of scams are close to home for me – when I went to my cousin’s wedding, a relative got one of these calls. So I want to learn about what I can do to stop them.”

Entertainer Koneko Edoya, 59, famous for his animal impersonations, was also appointed to the role. He mimicked a Japanese nightingale when he said: “Wild animals possess a natural defensive instinct. I think we too should be alert about our surroundings.”

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bamboohat at 09:09 AM JST - 2nd July

“

Ichinichi furikome sagi boshi taicho,”

Translation, JT?
cleo at 09:27 AM JST - 2nd July

The translation is there in the title - captain for a day of efforts to prevent bank transfer scams

Must say I think the 'for a day' bit is a bit pointless. The old folks will simply wait till tomorrow.
DarkKnghtZ at 09:34 AM JST - 2nd July

These transfer scams are totally preventable and totally traceable. The fact that the Japanese police havent caught at a minimum 80% of the scammers is rediculous. To make a bank account you need ID/Family Seal/etc which all identifies who you are and where you live. Every transfer is electronically traceable. Do your job, cops.
saborichan at 10:05 AM JST - 2nd July

If it were that easy, they wouldn't worry about scamming so much.

There could be all sorts of reasons. Maybe the people scam the money and withdraw it immediately, so it can't be undone. And they might use bankbooks of deceased people, or accounts that people have forgotten they have and didn't realise they've lost the books for, etc.

I'm sure the criminals have a good reason to persist in these crimes.
griff at 10:32 AM JST - 2nd July

you could start by teaching people not to be so gullible...

OH MY GOD, I'VE RECEIVED AN ORE ORE CALL! OH MY GOD, I'M LEAVING THE HOUSE, OH MY GOD, I'M WALKING TO THE BANK, OH MY GOD, I'M WAITING PATIENTLY IN LINE FOR AN ATM, OH MY GOD, I'M ENTERING MY PIN NUMBER! SOMEONE STOP ME!! PLEASE!
gogogo at 11:13 AM JST - 2nd July

How does this help anyone?
GW at 12:02 PM JST - 2nd July

These PR things are a waste! While the keystones are pretty much useless in regards to this it wud be nice if the authorities wud also PRETEND to also be interested $$ scams politicians & Jpn Inc do to us to the tune of billions of yen on a year round basis.........ah what on earth was I thinking sorry everyone
Freddy5 at 12:40 PM JST - 2nd July

So who is the captain for the rest of the year? Wouldn't that be more interesting to know?
griff at 12:43 PM JST - 2nd July

The translation is there in the title - captain for a day of efforts to prevent bank transfer scams Must say I think the 'for a day' bit is a bit pointless. The old folks will simply wait till tomorrow.

ha! quite! let's fight very hard for one day, and then hope the problem just goes away
griff at 12:43 PM JST - 2nd July

the whole thing is just a load of old tatemae
The758 at 02:37 PM JST - 2nd July

Entertainer Koneko Edoya, 59, famous for his animal impersonations, was also appointed to the role. He mimicked a Japanese nightingale when he said: “Wild animals possess a natural defensive instinct. I think we too should be alert about our surroundings.”

I don't know whether to laugh or cry
stirfry at 04:06 PM JST - 2nd July

easy: just wait a day until the regular nobs who run banks are back in charge
morpheus at 07:55 PM JST - 2nd July

it must be ridiculous for even Japanese.
fatfrenchfool at 10:20 PM JST - 2nd July

I don't take any of them seriously unless they perform either a benny hill salute or sincere 'guts' pose
griff at 04:06 PM JST - 6th July

it must be ridiculous for even Japanese.

unfortunately not. this is just the expected show of concern and action. actually solving the problem would involve too much hassle