Leaving packages at the doorstep is a common and safe practice in Japan, but occasionally someone comes along to break that trust in the worst way. Police in Saitama Prefecture arrested a 30-year-old man accused of stealing 15 cardboard boxes filled with 168 collectible figures and anime merchandise, amassing loot valued at nearly a million yen.

The accused, identified as Akisa Nakamura, took advantage of the famous Japanese delivery system known as okihai, where delivery drivers leave purchases at the entrance when the resident is not home. In the shadows and after making multiple trips in his car, the man loaded the 15 boxes directly from the entrance of a residence in the Omiya district, in Saitama City, before fleeing with the entire load.

After being interrogated by authorities, the suspect fully confessed to the crimes and justified his actions by citing financial problems. Nakamura explained that he had quit his job in June 2026 and was currently living away from his family, so, without a stable income, he saw the unattended packages as a quick opportunity to get money. He immediately proceeded to sell several of the items at local secondhand stores to get cash instantly.

Neighborhood security cameras captured key moments of the suspect approaching the property to take the packages without much haste. Currently, investigators are examining sales records at collectible stores and inspecting whether the arrested man is involved in more than a dozen similar thefts under the same method reported in the area since July 2026.

The okihai method has become the norm for speeding up home deliveries in Japan, relying on the country’s low crime rates. However, the high value of collectible figures in the secondhand market makes them a coveted target for quick resale, especially when they are limited-edition pieces or from franchises with a large fan base.

Would you risk having your collectible figures left at your doorstep, or do you prefer to receive them in person?