Crime Tree snatchers target expensive bonsai trees

A wave of thefts of bonsai miniature potted trees across Japan appears tied to an overseas boom offering high resale profits. In many cases, thieves made off with expensive plants in the dead of night. Bonsai thefts have been reported for several years.

Mitsunori Imai, 60, who operates the Warabi-en bonsai garden here, was left speechless after he found many bonsai trees missing from his shelves on the morning of 12 December. "My mind went blank because of the shock," he said. The Nippon Bonsai Growers Cooperative had just called on members through the Line messaging app to take precautions following thefts at bonsai gardens around the country. Security cameras showed two men getting out of a vehicle in the rain, entering Warabi-en and walking out with bonsai trees in their hands. Imai said 24 pots, worth 7 million JPY (USD 49,000) in total, were snatched. "The thieves appear to have a certain level of knowledge about bonsai because they selected trees with a decent price," Imai said. However, he said the thieves don't appear to be professionals because more expensive trees remained untouched next to the stolen pots.

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Stolen bonsai are being sold in Asia and elsewhere through social media.



And if you believe bonsai are only snatched in Japan, you're wrong:

It's been a while, but I've also heard of some theft of rare succulents.

Ruby Roman grapes, as 'stolen' by Korea, have been in the paper for the last couple days.

And this looks good: Adaption

The Nippon Bonsai Growers Cooperative reports a significant increase in bonsai tree thefts across Japan, resulting in substantial financial losses and concerns among growers that their valuable bonsai may be trafficked abroad. From 2019 to January 2024, there have been at least 30 reported thefts, with 20 incidents in the final two months alone, spanning Aichi, Saitama, Tochigi , and Mie prefectures.

Most of these stolen bonsai trees are sold in China and Southeast Asia, where they fetch high prices.

Thieves have been targeting bonsai growers across Japan, stealing valuable trees for resale or ransom. Yes, for ransom! Over 30 incidents have been reported since spring, with significant losses for specialized retailers and individual growers. One particularly affected area is the foot of Mount Azuma in Fukushima Prefecture , a renowned bonsai cultivation region. Thieves have stolen high-value bonsai, including rare "Goyo-Matsu" (five-needle pine) trees, causing millions of yen in damages. Like a 70-year-old victim, frustrated growers have lost prized bonsai they had carefully cultivated for years.

After the incident, he installed security cameras, motion sensor lights and a buzzer that would go off when triggered. However, things did not end there. About a month later, he received suspicious phone calls and social media messages from someone claiming to be Vietnamese. "I bought your stolen bonsai tree. I want to return it." The individual explained he had seen a photo that the man's acquaintance posted on social media of one of the bonsai stolen in April. Then the caller's real goal was revealed. "If you send money to my bank account, I'll send the tree to you in Japan."

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Bonsai industry experts suggest using GPS trackers to safeguard valuable trees. This strategy was recently proven effective when Aichi prefectural police employed Apple AirTags to apprehend a Vietnamese bonsai theft ring. The group, accused of stealing seven bonsai trees worth over 7.65 million yen ($50,000) from a Kanagawa Prefecture home, was tracked down using the location data from the AirTags attached to the stolen plants. Police were able to locate the stolen trees and arrest the suspects.