Three Chinese Men Arrested in Japan for Possessing 160kg Protected Hermit Crabs

Three Chinese men were arrested in Amami City, Japan, after hotel staff reported rustling noises from their suitcases, leading to the discovery of around 160 kilograms of protected land hermit crabs inside. The crabs are designated as national natural monuments due to their cultural and scientific significance and are protected under Japanese law. Authorities found approximately 95 kilograms of hermit crabs in three suitcases belonging to two men, and an additional 65 kilograms in three more suitcases carried by the third man, totaling thousands of the creatures. Police are investigating whether the crabs were intended for sale, as pets, or for consumption, with each crab potentially fetching up to 20,000 yen on the black market. The men, identified as Liao Zhibin, Song Zhenhao, and Guo Jiawei, were arrested for possessing the hermit crabs without proper authorization. The case highlights ongoing concerns about wildlife smuggling and the illegal trade of protected species in the region.