Shoplifting rise across Japan supermarkets amid greater use of self-checkouts
Japan Stores Combat Theft While Self-checkouts Solve Labor Shortage
Japanese grocery stores have been taken aback by an unforeseen consequence of implementing self-service checkouts to address the lack of staff: a significant increase in incidents of theft.
Japan has historically taken pride in its relatively low crime rates. However, experts argue that a combination of factors, including increasing prices, stagnant wages, a decreasing amount of money saved by households, and shifting attitudes among younger individuals, necessitate that supermarket operators devise strategies to address the issue of shoplifting.
According to The Mainichi newspaper, Japan saw the advent of the initial self-checkout machines in 2003. As of 2019, approximately 14.3 percent of supermarkets adopted this system. However, in 2022, the adoption rate surged to around 30 percent. This increase can be attributed to the supermarkets' efforts to minimize interactions between their staff and customers amidst the prevalence of the coronavirus pandemic.
Although the National Supermarket Association is hesitant to share figures regarding theft in stores, it is believed that roughly 80 percent of these incidents happen when shoppers neglect to scan their items properly at self-service checkouts. News outlets have reported that certain establishments are facing a 30 percent rise in losses due to this issue.
Shinichi Ishizuka, the head of the criminology research center at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, pointed out that the implementation of scanners has turned shoplifting into a crime that is now effortlessly carried out.
"He mentioned how simple it would be to skip scanning an item and directly place it inside a bag."
Makoto Watanabe, a media and communications professor at Hokkaido Bunkyo University in Sapporo, stated that significant shifts in Japanese society were empowering individuals to intentionally engage in theft.
"The economy has been in a state of fragility for three decades now, and it has significantly worsened following the outbreak of the coronavirus. Currently, we are witnessing an increase in prices for common goods, stagnant salaries, and there are no indications that this situation will improve in the near future," he expressed. "Individuals are finding themselves with reduced disposable income, and for those already facing difficulties, this presents an uncomplicated opportunity."
Japanese face difficulties dealing with skyrocketing prices despite assistance from the government.
He mentioned that youthful misbehavior was an additional element.
He expressed concern about the young individuals who lack a moral compass and have a disregard for the severity of stealing.
"It's similar to the youth we witnessed some months ago recording themselves licking soy sauce bottles at sushi eateries to gain 'likes' on social platforms. They derive pleasure from provoking anger and outrage, and it is imperative for our society to adopt a more strict approach towards such conduct," he remarked.
Worried about the extent of their financial setbacks, grocery store owners are implementing tactics to combat the issue. These include educating employees on how to detect suspicious behavior during self-checkout and setting up visible monitors that serve as effective deterrents against theft.
In certain shops, they have begun sharing images of individuals apprehended for theft, serving as a strong discouragement in a nation where reputation holds significant value.
