Japan Police: Crimes visiting foreign foreign resortes

The Japanese police say that the crimes committed by visiting foreign nationals are increasing.

The National Police Agency says that foreign visitors committed 21,794 offenses last year that included violations of the law on theft and immigration. A total of 12,170 foreign relevors were suspected of involvement.

The figures increased for a second consecutive year, despite the fact that they were significantly lower than the peaks of 47,865 cases in 2005 and 21,842 criminals in 2004.

Vietnam is in the top of the latest figures with 3,990 criminals, China is the next with 2,011, followed by the Filipine with 732, Thailand with 644 and Brazil with 578.

Theft represented most of the offenses with 9,103 crimes, including 2,252 cases of sale.

The police say that it has confirmed cases in which the perpetrators meet through social networks, steal large quantities of articles in pharmaceuticals and clothing stores and send them to their origin countries.

The police strengthen their repression on crimes by groups of foreigners. They also ask the businesses to take additional anti-displays measures.