Key Facts
• Uniqlo’s parent company, Fast Retailing, announced stricter measures against shoplifting in June 2025.
• Civil claims will be filed for all damages caused by identified shoplifters.
• Shoplifting in Japan causes an estimated annual loss of over ¥300 billion.
• A Vietnamese group stole goods worth ¥12.3 million from 37 Uniqlo stores across four prefectures.
• Police data shows 50–70% of foreign shoplifters in Japan are Vietnamese.
• Fast Retailing operates approximately 790 Uniqlo stores nationwide.
• Only 10.9% of companies in Japan file civil claims for shoplifting damages.
• Sanyodo Holdings, a bookstore chain, reduced losses from 1.1% to 0.5% over 20 years by implementing civil claims.
• Sanyodo recovered ¥5.74 million from 75 cases in fiscal year 2024, including ¥820,000 in labor costs.
• Nationwide shoplifting losses are attributed to theft (41.4%), management errors (38%), and employee theft (2.7%).
Summary
Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, has announced a firm stance against shoplifting, committing to file civil claims for all damages caused by offenders. This decision comes amid a surge in shoplifting incidents, particularly involving foreign groups, with Vietnamese nationals accounting for 50–70% of foreign shoplifting arrests in Japan. A notable case involved a Vietnamese group stealing ¥12.3 million worth of goods from 37 Uniqlo stores. Nationwide, shoplifting causes annual losses exceeding ¥300 billion, yet only 10.9% of companies pursue civil claims. Fast Retailing’s measures include enhanced staff training and security systems. Sanyodo Holdings, a bookstore chain, has successfully reduced losses by implementing civil claims for 20 years, recovering significant costs, including labor expenses. These developments highlight a growing trend among Japanese retailers to combat shoplifting through legal and preventive measures.
