26-9-2023 (TOKYO) The Tokyo District Court delivered a sentence on Monday, meting out a four-year and six-month prison term to an 18-year-old individual, Shoma Torii, for his involvement in a high-stakes robbery at a prestigious watch store in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district in May. The court’s judgment, rendered by Judge Madoka Hiruta, described Torii’s actions as “bold, dangerous, and malicious.” Notably, prosecutors had initially sought a more severe punishment, pushing for a seven-year prison sentence.
The robbery, which unfolded on May 8, involved Torii masterminding the heist at a luxury watch boutique in Ginza. The audacious crime resulted in the theft of an astonishing 74 items with an aggregate value of approximately 308.5 million yen. Torii’s involvement was not a solo endeavor; he conspired with accomplices, including 19-year-old Ryuma Azusawa, who is also facing charges related to the robbery.
The court’s ruling shed light on the unique legal status of the culprits involved in this case. Three offenders, including Torii and Azusawa, were publicly named during their indictment as “specified juveniles,” a designation established by the revised juvenile law, which encompasses criminal offenders aged 18 or 19.
Judge Hiruta emphasized Torii’s significance in the criminal enterprise, noting that despite his subordinate role, he played a pivotal part in the robbery. This included the use of a knife to threaten store employees and the successful theft of the high-value items.
