Why Japan is losing its bonsai trees to theft and trafficking – Firstpost

The art of bonsai, a deeply treasured aspect of Japanese culture, is currently under threat. The growing popularity of these miniature trees has led to an alarming rise in theft, with organized crime groups often targeting valuable specimens for sale abroad.

The Nippon Bonsai Growers Cooperative has reported 25 thefts in 11 prefectures since February 2023, including one case where a bonsai worth more than 3 million yen was stolen. On May 3, 2024, 33 bonsai trees worth 18.8 million yen (US$20,000) were seized from a store in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Eyewitnesses and other sources suggest foreign nationals are often involved, with stolen bonsai appearing on U.S. social media sites, reports Kyodo News Agency.

Growing popularity and vulnerability

Global fascination with bonsai has exploded in recent years, particularly after a ban on the export of black pine bonsai from Japan to the European Union was lifted in 2020.

This increased demand not only boosted exports, but also attracted the attention of thieves. Bonsai exports reached about 910 billion yen (about $6 billion) in 2023, nearly triple the 2020 amount, according to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Tatsuharu Takeshita, a 72-year-old bonsai seller from Inazawa in central Japan, said: Kyodo News Agency, “Recently all we talk about in the industry is theft. It's unbearable.” Takeshita's store, Koyoen, lost 15 bonsai trees in two separate incidents, one of which involved thieves cutting through a protective fence.

International trafficking via organized crime

The involvement of organized criminal groups in bonsai thefts has become increasingly evident. In central Japan, police arrested three Vietnamese men in April and May on suspicion of stealing bonsai trees, using tracking devices placed by the owner to trace the stolen trees. A senior investigator highlighted the need for companies to strengthen their security measures.

Yusei Sasaki, third-generation owner of Mifune in southwest Japan, spoke with This week in Asia, and expressed his anger and sadness after losing 33 bonsai worth 18.8 million yen: “I'm so angry that I'm ready to beat the thieves if they come back here.” But above all I want the trees to come back safe and sound, because the bonsai is a work of art that takes an infinite amount of time to create.

THE Mainichi The newspaper reported that police in Aichi Prefecture arrested two Vietnamese nationals suspected of stealing seven bonsai worth 5.3 million yen, including a kuromatsu (black pine). The men, a 20-year-old student and a 33-year-old construction worker, allegedly committed multiple thefts, selling the trees to collectors in China and Southeast Asia.

Japanese invest in security measures

Bonsai nurseries across Japan are investing in new safety measures to protect their prized trees. Gashou-en nursery, for example, plans to improve its security systems after thieves managed to evade motion-activated lights and CCTV cameras, reported SCMP.

The Nippon Bonsai Growers' Cooperative has advised its members to avoid linking their premises to Google Maps, as thieves could use the app for reconnaissance.

Read also:

Kazuhiro Takebe's Bonsai Life nursery in Mie Prefecture was targeted twice, losing a total of 80 trees. “This is becoming a big problem for everyone who works in the bonsai business,” Takebe said. SCMP. “We already had security systems in place, but we have installed additional cameras and alarms since the second flight. We are also planning to build a new, higher wall around the nursery.

Despite these efforts, the problem persists. “These groups are very organized and steal on command,” Takebe added. “We have heard that other nurseries have had their stolen bonsai trees returned, but none of ours have been returned yet.”

What is the cultural significance of bonsai?

Bonsai, meaning “plateau planting,” is a centuries-old art form that originated in China, specifically the Tang dynasty pastime of penjing. It was introduced to Japan in the 6th century and refined by the principles of Zen Buddhism.

Bonsai trees are not genetically miniature; rather, they are regular trees meticulously cultivated to stay small. This painstaking process can take decades and some bonsai, like the 500-year-old specimen in the Tokyo Imperial Palace collection, are considered national treasures.

Bonsai theft is not only a financial loss but also a cultural one. Each tree represents years of dedication and artistic expression.

With the contribution of agencies