In the evening twilight of a bustling Tokyo street, where lanterns glow and footsteps weave through the fabric of city life, a sudden shadow briefly disrupted the familiar rhythm. It was on one such evening that a group of people, laden with suitcases heavy not just in weight but in the promise of commerce and trust, found themselves at the crossroads of an ordinary night and an extraordinary crime. Like leaves caught in a brisk wind, their plans scattered as three assailants struck swiftly on a crowded thoroughfare in Ueno, taking with them not just cash but a quiet sense of security.
The victims, a mix of Japanese and Chinese nationals, had been handling large bundles of currency — a striking and rare sight on the city’s streets — when three men reportedly sprayed what appeared to be pepper spray and seized three suitcases believed to contain roughly 420 million yen in cash, or about Rp45.7 billion in value. This scene, juxtaposed against Tokyo’s usual calm, sounded alarms not just among onlookers but across diplomatic channels.
Witnesses described the moment as surreal: hurried movements through a crowd, a sudden commotion, and then the vanishing of the suspects before authorities could intervene. Nearby pedestrians paused in disbelief, reflecting the way a disturbed breeze can make tranquil waters ripple, reminding many that even cities prized for safety can harbour unforeseen episodes.
Just hours after the Ueno incident, another group transporting money near Haneda Airport was also confronted by would‑be robbers. Although that attempt did not result in stolen cash, it added an unsettling echo to the first event and strengthened police suspicions that the two cases might be connected.
In response to the spate of incidents, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo took the unusual step of issuing a renewed security advisory, urging Chinese citizens to exercise heightened caution and consider risks if planning travel to Japan in the near term. This came at a moment when international travel was recovering and once‑close ties of tourism between China and Japan were already in flux due to broader geopolitical factors.
Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department has said it is investigating the robberies and tracking leads, but so far no arrests have been made. Officers are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses in hopes of piecing together the identities of the perpetrators. Meanwhile, business operators and travelers reflect gently on an event that seems at odds with the city’s reputation for order and safety, like a sudden gust in an otherwise predictable breeze.
In straightforward terms, police report that three suspects attacked and robbed five people carrying substantial cash in suitcases on a busy street in Tokyo’s Ueno district, believed to be around 420 million yen, on January 29, 2026. A related attempted robbery near Haneda Airport occurred hours later, though no money was taken in that case. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the individuals responsible.
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Source
Liputan6.com, Global Times reporting on Tokyo street robbery, Japan Times coverage of related assaults, travel advisories from China after the incident, Vietnam Express notes on safety reactions.