He Stole ¥135 Million and Blew It on Luxury Bags and Sex Workers—What He Told the Court

“I didn’t care if I lost my job or got arrested”

The first hearing of Tsuyoshi Oyama (57 at the time of his arrest), a former security guard charged with stealing approximately ¥135 million from bank ATMs, was held at the Tokyo District Court on July 13.

“On May 10, 2026, the Tsukiji Police Station of the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Tsuyoshi Oyama, a former employee of a company in the ‘ALSOK’ security group, on suspicion of theft. Oyama was responsible for ATM management at the site and would put the cash he stole into a bag he had brought with him when no other security guards were present. At the time of his arrest, he reportedly said, ‘I stopped caring about my life,’ and told investigators that he had spent the stolen money on horse racing and gifts for employees at adult entertainment establishments.” (National newspaper social affairs reporter)

Oyama appeared in court wearing a black T-shirt and black pants. His eyes lacked focus and he appeared exhausted. At the same time, his thick, dark hair was striking. When he took the witness stand and was asked to confirm his identity, he answered quietly, “I currently have no fixed address. I am unemployed.”

During the defendant’s questioning that day, he described how the deaths of his parents and dissatisfaction with his job had driven him into despair, causing his desires to spiral out of control.

According to the indictment, Oyama stole a total of ¥135 million in cash on multiple occasions from ATMs installed at a bank branch in Chuo Ward, Tokyo, between December 26 and 30, 2025, while working as a security guard. When the judge asked him about the charges, he admitted them, saying, “There are no mistakes.”

According to the opening statement read by the prosecution, Oyama joined a security company in 2001. He left the company in 2019 to care for his parents, but began working for a subsidiary of the security company in 2020. In 2024, both of his parents, whom he had been caring for, died one after another. At work, he also struggled with his relationship with his superiors and was under considerable stress. Oyama, who was single, reportedly began thinking:

“I stopped caring about anything. I was deeply dissatisfied with my job, and I didn’t care if I got fired or arrested.”

He became reckless and decided to steal money.

Approximately ¥54 million was seized from the hotel where Oyama was staying at the time of his arrest. The ¥135 million he stole was reimbursed by the security company, and the approximately ¥54 million that had been seized was returned to the company. The remaining approximately ¥80 million has yet to be recovered.

Oyama’s younger sister appeared as a witness. She had not been in contact with him before the incident and expressed regret, saying, “I deeply regret leaving the care of our parents entirely to my brother.”

Before the crime, Oyama sent his sister a Buddhist altar and his parents’ memorial tablets. She asked him by email, “What on earth is going on?”, but received no reply. She learned of the incident only after Oyama was arrested. She now visits him about twice a week and has vowed to support him, saying, “I intend to do everything I can to protect him going forward.”

“I was finally relieved to be arrested”

The defendant’s questioning then began. Regarding his workplace, Oyama said, “I couldn’t see eye to eye with my new supervisor and was subjected to workplace harassment,” explaining that the stress had gradually built up. Then, on December 2, 2024, his mother passed away, followed a few days later by his father. Oyama described how he felt at the time:

“My parents didn’t have a good relationship. They were constantly fighting, and it was difficult. I thought, ‘A person’s life can really end so suddenly.’ There was nothing left around me.”

Even in that state, he said, “At work, I sometimes had to deal with complaints. There were times when the accounts were off by just one yen, and (even when I contacted the other party) they wouldn’t deal with it.”

It appeared that he was claiming that a series of misfortunes and problems left him feeling empty and ultimately triggered the crime. Asked about his life after the theft, he said he moved from hotel to hotel, anxious that he did not know when he would be arrested, and “I spent my days feeling utterly despondent.” When he was finally arrested, he said:

“I thought, ‘They finally came for me.’ I felt relieved.”

The prosecution pointed out that Oyama had spent ¥30 million of the stolen money on luxury-brand gifts for two women working in the adult entertainment industry—¥10 million for one and ¥20 million for the other. Oyama lowered his head and said:

“At the time, I didn’t care what happened to me, but I regret causing trouble for so many people. I was spending the money as my desires led me.”

The prosecution described the crime as motivated by greed and entirely self-serving and sought a seven-year sentence of imprisonment. When the judge asked him if he had anything to say in closing, he apologized through tears:

“I abused my position and caused harm. I sincerely apologize for causing trouble to so many people.”

Whatever the circumstances, there is no excusing a crime that exploited his position and damaged the company’s social standing and trust. The verdict will be handed down on August 21.