Lately strange crimes and the Yakuza have been in the news a lot. A self-professed member of the Yamaguchi-gumi from Yokkaichi City and an electrician from Ise City were arrested by Yokkaichi City (Mie Prefecture) police for allegedly breaking into a post office and stealing a cash machine containing about 10.6 million yen in cash.
The ATM machine (70 cm high, 80 cm long, 40 cm wide, weighing 230 kg) which was installed inside the Kasumi post office was found outside the building about 5 am on April 15th with the money still inside. Police believe the two gave up midway during the theft when they were unable to make off with the ATM. These two and another unidentified third man were seen on security camera footage breaking into the post office with a crow bar.
The first thing I'm wondering is why it took four months to arrest these two. Maybe it was difficult to make identifications on the security footage? And who is the third man? And finally what would make anyone think they could steal an ATM, built into a wall inside a locked post office, in the middle of the night, when it weighs over 500 pounds? Plus, ATMs always have cameras. What were they thinking?
Close to the Iga Ueno Castle is the Ninja Museum. It is probably a bustling place during the tourist holiday seasons, but it was pretty quiet in early January.
The first area was the ninja house where you could try out the ninja tricks. Some of it was a little hokey, but fun.
The next area was a museum with a lot of interesting exhibits about ninjas.
I didn't put my eyes, nose, or hands near this.
Now I know a little more about the life of the ninja.
