https://mainichi.jp/articles/20251226/k00/00m/040/013000c
On the 25th, Osaka City announced that it had imposed a one-year suspension on a 59-year-old male employee of the Construction Bureau as disciplinary action for illegally removing over 2,000 abandoned bicycles before the required seven-day period had elapsed. The employee's superior and 20 subordinates who acted in the same way under the employee's instructions were also given written or verbal warnings.
According to the city, outside of no-parking zones around stations, bicycles must be left for seven days before they are removed. However, between April 2019 and March 2023, the male employee immediately removed a total of 2,373 bicycles, falsely stating in his work reports that they had been removed after confirming they had been left there for seven days or more. He also instructed his subordinates to do the same, and removed the anti-theft registration stickers required to inquire with the police about whether the bicycles were stolen, preventing them from being returned to their owners.
When questioned by the city, the official said, "We received requests from citizens (to have it removed quickly). We are sorry for this unacceptable act."
The city made the case public in May 2012. After investigating bicycles removed between April 2010 and February 2012, it was discovered that approximately 40,000 bicycles had been illegally removed. If the owners of the affected bicycles are confirmed, they will pay compensation of 2,000 yen per bicycle. The city stated, "We take this seriously as it is an infringement of citizens' property and a situation that shakes trust in city government." [Suzuki Takuya]
by YamatoRyu2006