Studies of shoppers utilizing Korean 500-won cash — value about 53 yen ($0.36) — as in the event that they had been 500-yen cash ($3.40) are rising throughout Japan, inflicting frustration amongst small-business house owners. The trick exploits the truth that the 2 cash are comparable in measurement and look regardless of having practically a tenfold distinction in worth. Though many assume Korean vacationers are accountable, Japanese media says the difficulty can’t be attributed solely to guests from Korea.
In line with Japan’s Fuji Information Community (FNN) on Nov. 20, circumstances of “mixing 500 yen and 500 gained cash” have been reported one after one other at small retailers throughout the nation. The 2 cash are tough to differentiate at first look: Each have a diameter of 26.5 millimeters, characteristic comparable designs and weigh solely 0.6 grams. However the 500 gained coin’s worth quantities to solely 53 yen. Whether or not by way of intentional deception or real confusion, Japanese shopkeepers find yourself struggling a heavy loss.
Takashi Ito, 69, who runs the udon restaurant Iyoji in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, informed FNN, “The sizes and weights of the 2 cash are virtually the identical, so it’s laborious to determine them. I’ve suffered comparable losses about 15 instances over the previous 10 years.” He added that it’s tough to watch prospects’ actions from the kitchen, and through busy lunch hours, it’s laborious to test cash positioned shortly on the counter. “My eyesight isn’t good, so I don’t discover if somebody leaves a 500 gained coin,” he stated. Ito added, “It appeared like a Korean buyer, however I need to consider it was a mistake.”
A ramen store proprietor in Fukushima Prefecture reported comparable losses. “Once I checked who paid with the five hundred gained coin, it turned out to be a Japanese individual, not a Korean,” he stated, including that the client seemed to be “a routine offender.” FNN reported that comparable incidents have occurred at eating places, gasoline stations, public baths and comfort shops.
The difficulty additionally attracted consideration final 12 months. In October 2024, TV Asahi reported a case wherein a buyer paid a 500 yen public tub entrance price with a Korean 500 gained coin in Tokyo.
Utilizing a 500 gained coin instead of a 500 yen coin can result in felony costs in Japan. Deliberately presenting the coin to a store can represent fraud, whereas utilizing it in merchandising machines or different automated units could be handled as theft.
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Occasions, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Occasions.
