Students accused of Osaka Expo thefts may have skipped train fares: investigative sources
 

OSAKA -- Three university students from Tokyo arrested in connection with the theft of a large number of items of the Osaka Expo's official character Myaku-Myaku from the Expo venue have additionally come under suspicion of traveling to western Japan's Kansai area by bullet train without paying the fare, investigative sources told the Mainichi Shimbun on Aug. 12.

Additionally, when entering the Expo venue, the three students, aged between 20 and 22, are suspected of having presented junior tickets for those aged between 12-17, which are cheaper than the regular adult tickets, investigative sources said.

The three are accused of shoplifting the merchandise with the intent to resell the items, and Osaka Prefectural Police suspect that they may have skipped transportation costs and avoided paying the full admission fee in a bid to maximize their profits.

According to investigative officials, the three students purchased 150-yen (about $1) entrance tickets at Tokyo Station to pass through the ticket gates in late June, and boarded a shinkansen bullet train without paying for a limited express ticket and regular fare. They allegedly disembarked at Shin-Kobe Station and somehow managed to pass through the ticket gates, then apparently headed to the Expo venue. Prefectural police are investigating a possible violation of the Railway Operation Act.

The students were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting over 100 items including stuffed Myaku-Myaku toys from the official store at the Expo venue. Two of the students have already been indicted.

The two indicted students were quoted as telling police that they stole the items with intent to resell them. Among the stolen items were limited edition products, such as the "Black Myaku-Myaku," which has become difficult to obtain.

Prefectural police believe the suspects targeted items that could be resold at high prices and repeatedly shoplifted within the venue, and they are investigating the involvement of other individuals.

source : https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250813/p2a/00m/0na/006000c

Comprehension

How old were the three university students?
What was the name of the official Expo character whose items were stolen?
How did the students try to avoid paying full bullet train fares?
What kind of tickets did they use to enter the Expo venue?
About how many items did they allegedly steal?
What was special about some of the stolen items?
What do police think the suspects planned to do with the stolen merchandise?
Which law might they have broken by riding the bullet train without paying?
How many of the suspects have already been indicted?
Where did the incident take place?

Discussion

Why do you think the students wanted to avoid paying for tickets and fares?
What could be the consequences of shoplifting and fare evasion?
Do you think reselling limited edition items is always wrong? Why or why not?
How can event organizers prevent shoplifting?
What message does this send about honesty in business and daily life?
How might this incident affect the students’ future careers?
Should police also investigate the buyers of stolen goods? Why or why not?
Have you ever seen or heard of people skipping transportation fares?
Do you think making more affordable tickets could reduce theft?
How should society educate young people about respecting rules?

Vocabulary

Arrested – Taken by police because of suspected illegal activity.
Suspicion – A belief that someone may have done something wrong.
Fare – The money you pay for transportation.
Junior ticket – A cheaper ticket for younger people.
Shoplifting – Stealing goods from a store.
Merchandise – Items for sale.
Resell – Sell something again, usually to make a profit.
Indicted – Formally charged with a crime.
Limited edition – A special product made in small amounts.
Violate – Break a law or rule.