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© KYODOStudent in Tokyo arrested for giving illegal haircuts to thousands
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dan
Sacre bleu !
Haircuts on the cheap !
Probably get deported or imprisoned unlike the folks who were arrested for the Olympics scandal who got a slap on the wrist for embezzlement and bid rigging .
rainyday
I had no idea that giving haircuts was even something that could get you arrested.
virusrex
No warning? just directly to arrest? seems extremely harsh for the "crime".
Seigi
Hahahaha! Well, it's the choice of the customers to use his service because let's be honest... Barbers are ridiculously overpriced in Japan, and many of them don't speak English! A Vietnamese dude would rather have his haircut done by someone who can speak his language, and then pay for that service. Sounds just fair to me!
Kabuto
I wonder how many Japanese people are giving haircuts without being qualified and or having the correct license.
Aly Rustom
Oh mon dieu!
I just cut my own hair and my son's using a home electric razor last night...
Oh no! I hear the sirens!!
Looks like my son and I are going to have to go on the run and become a modern version of 子連れ狼 (Lone Wolf and Cub)
Exactly!!
Disillusioned
Arrested? Serously? What's next? Will they deport him too? If my mother-in-law cuts my hair is that illegal? She doesn't have a licence but does a good job on a buzz cut.
Cards fan
I just hope you didn't charge the little guy, then they might come for you two. lol
fatrainfallingintheforest
I think it's because he charged for the haircuts without a business license, and perhaps that also violates the conditions of his visa. If he'd done them all for free, maybe he'd be in the clear.
wallace
Sounds like he should receive one of those Industry Awards. I cut my spouse's hair and she cuts mine.
diagonalslip
so at that rate, it's 3000 haircuts. average, 3 a day for 3 years..... seems unlikely to me. and in any case, why on earth is this a "crime'.... ah! perhaps because enterprise is a punishable offence?
fatrainfallingintheforest
I bought a バリカン years ago and never looked back. Paid for itself on the first buzz cut.
Sven Asai
Yes, the standard dilemma of our era. Not working keeps you poor, hungry and dependent. Working is maybe bringing a little more money, but is also mostly a bit more dangerous, costly, hurting, exhausting or even brings you near or into prison. Difficult to chose between Scylla or Charybdis when sailing through the wild waters of life. It’s just only a losing streak in every case, and finally you lose even that life itself and everything else too.
Legrande
Throw the book at him we really need to regulate thus type of dangerous crime more while lawmakers who are ripping people off left and right get a free pass or at worst a suspended sentence when found out, glad our tax money (at a record high last year) is put to good use...and one wonders how the police even got wind of it
Harry_Gatto
How many barbers in your country can speak Japanese?
wallace
Harry_Gatto
My last hair stylist in London was Japanese.
iraira
If you are cutting your own hair, you should do the right thing and turn yourself in immediately. :P
Michael Machida
This is ridiculous. A person cannot cut hair for money and you have to have a license? The government has way too much control over the lives of the citizens.
gogogo
A serious waste of resources.
Legrande
This is ridiculous. A person cannot cut hair for money and you have to have a license? The government has way too much control over the lives of the citizens.
You're not suggesting we should question the basis of Japanese democracy, are you? Of course we should never contemplate such a thing.
As you well know rule of law defined and enforced by the LDP authorities is the only correct option.
Meiyouwenti
“If my mother-in-law cuts my hair is that illegal? “
If she does it as a job without a barber’s license and accepts money for the cut, it is illegal.
uaintseeme
They arrested him for $15 dollars on that day...wow.
BigP
Leave him be! How ridiculous.
shogun36
uhhhh, this was almost a weekly thing when I was in high school.
Friends used to give friends haircuts all the time in someone's back yard.
I guess we should have been locked up.
Give me a break. It's not surgery. It's a buzz and a clip, who cares?
inkochi
Arrest my wife (who cuts my hair quite well enough)!
good LUCK!
englisc aspyrgend
You need a licence to cut hair! But of course silly me, this is a seriously dangerous procedure and must be regulated for the safety of the Japanese public. If you just let anyone cut hair the Japanese people could be subject to having ridiculous hair styles and appalling cuts, the whole structure of society will crumble!
Yubaru
If he didnt charge anything for them, there would have been zero problem!
Kazuaki Shimazaki
The borderline is whether you do it as a "業". The word "業" includes business, so you are definitely out if you did it on a commercial business. It also means things you do regularly, so if you cut hair at the same frequency you drive to work (every day), you might be in trouble. But if you just do it sporadically for family it's not 業.
sakurasuki
In Japan anything can get you arrested.
John-San
You have to be licence to be able to have their swelling red, white and blue pole out the salon indication a trusted barber. Who is licence to wheel a blade from shaving to hair remove from private area. Now you don't want have an accident and a vital organ cut off and find out the blade wheeler is not insured.
Alway find the red, white and blue swelling pole and your be covered.
Bordeaux
Most likely his place is a hangout spot for Vietnamese dudes like restaurants for foreigners from the same country can gather. This sounds like someone was hating on him and turned him in. Either a Japanese neighbor not liking all the people visiting, just do not like the guy because he is Vietnamese, or both.
It could also be a fellow Vietnamese compatriot who got in trouble with the law and mentioned the barber's name. They get a warrant to go to someone's house on the argument that the person is a co-conspirator to the original suspect, and the original suspect will be a witness for a lesser sentence. That is how J-cops catch marijuana users.
It could also be the J-cops once again scouring Twitter to find people to arrest. Another reason why Twitter is bad. I see foreigners in Japan on social media advertising similar services all the time. They are usually from first world countries. I wonder how many they have arrested. Probably, none!
Maybe he should have an exchange box near his home like the Pachinko parlors and people can pay for haircuts with buckets of steel balls.
wallace
If he had known you need a license to be a barber he could have done by accepting donations instead.
Aly Rustom
Yeah thanks I was making a joke
Aly Rustom
Then you must be arrested! Turn yourself in right away!
OssanAmerica
Not sure if it's simply a matter of licensing or whether the student had a visa status that does not allow working.
Random
The government’s problem with this is they aren’t getting a cut, no tax revenue.
Mr Kipling
An illegal haircut? I've seen some shockers but if you want to look daft, that's up to you.
North Korea has illegal haircuts. They must choose from one of 9 styles approved by the government.
I think the title should read " Giving haircuts without a license." A terrible crime no doubt.
Futaro Gamagori
My Vietnamese friend showed me some videos posted on social media about this dude and his place and I can see why the Bobbies had to do something.. The place is almost like a proper shop.
Rodney
Cheap haircuts is a serious crime. Especially for used by young people. They might look attractive to the opposite sex and increase the Japanese population.
Fredrik
Is the shave also illegal? Do we need a license to shave? Where can I get one? Or should I grow a beard?
Mark
A License for cutting hair!?
Just another scam, no need for a license at all, if you know how to operate the tools and your place is clean no need for a damn License, it costs over 1,000,000 t just to attend the school and get ripped off.
Mark
Soon you need to get a license to trim your own nails for heavens sake, LOL
kurisupisu
What a pathetic story
Japan just shows itself up again and again….
fxgai
Neoliberal policy never happened in Japan. Proof right here.
garypen
You need to be certified to cut hair. But, anyone can care for the elderly in senior homes or babies and children in day care. Good system.
kurisupisu
So many activities in Japan that are illegal and I know of legit Japanese businesses operating close to and over the limits of the law.
There is a good reason why the economy is moribund in Japan and that is because there is so many restrictions and rules pertaining to domestic demand
Japanese are literally discouraged from starting their own business.
However, get a license and pay the required brib…,I mean renewal fees,course attendance fees and submit to arbitrary laws and your business, legal or quasi illegal is welcome
Ah_so
It seems reasonable that you should have a qualification to be a commercial hairdresser - not only could a bad haircut affects someone's confidence, it could ruin a big day. Also, some hairdressers may crack your neck, which leaves me nervous at the best of times.
On the other hand, it is not the greatest of crimes.
El Rata
That seems quite harsh.
kaimycahl
Sounds like someone got a bad haircut and turned him i
Concerned Citizen
Oh come on, Leave the poor fellow alone and go after the real criminals.
Abe234
I went to the barbers last week and they said if you can't speak japanese they would refuse.
I wonder how many japanese people can speak Vietnamese.
Japan really can't help itself. Pathetic!. So what's the charge? giving bad haircuts? or working without the proper visa? or tax evasion?
NOMINATION
True, QB House is the popular chain that charges 1000yen per haircut but have a big sign that says they can refuse you if you don't speak Japanese.
canigetawhatwhat
Why is this even news lol
Leave the poor guy alone.
Nippori Nick
Kind of silly, really. I have had my hair cut in foreign countries just using sign language. Point at the head, hold the fingers for how much you want cut off. Point at a picture if neccessary.
Easy.
blue in green
I admire this guy's entrepreneurial spirit,
but next time, word of mouth and "donations".
If he had kept this on the down low, maybe this endeavor might've floated longer,
but by asking for a fee, even a cut-rate one, and advertising on social media,
he was on borrowed time...
I hope this industrious young man gets a break.
During that time of COVID restrictions, a haircut at a reasonable price
must've been a welcome service for many.
But I imagine when you charge for a service, albeit an unlicensed one,
and advertise on social media, and are making a profit,
Japan INC will want "their cut."
Peter Neil
SeigiToday 04:54 pm JST
Barbers are ridiculously cheap in Japan (and no tipping), and just speak Japanese to them. If you’re in Japan, learn some Japanese.
Babe Ruth
"without a licence" = "without providing useless politicians with their kickback"
purple_depressed_bacon
The scandal! Quick! Arrest all the moms trimming their kids' bangs too!
Harry_Gatto
Possibly but what an overreaction, the difference between a bad haircut and a good one is usually two to three weeks.
Alan Harrison
Crime of the century.
Incidentally, I know of Japanese nationals who operate hair salons in their apartments without any licences ( and other activities such as medical reiki).
njca4
Based on the information in the article, has he been arrested for conducting business in a residential place not meant for business ? Maybe for not declaring tax on cash earnings ?
If that's all, why is this big news ?
travelbangaijin
Who snitched on the barber is what I want to know
JboneInTheZone
You’re telling me the police spent the time to track not only the amount of clients he’s had, but also the amount of money he’s earned? All for haircuts? How many man hours were spent investigating this?
Peter Neil
Wow, I never had a bad haircut in 25 years in Japan. And barber shops (not hair salons) are cheap. You think about 2,000- 2,500 yen is expensive? That’s a couple of beers and some karage.
WilliB
I did not realize there is something called an illegal haircut.
TokyoLiving
This is Japan, a country of laws and people must obey the law..
If a foreigner has a paid occupation that needs a license, that person has to obtain the respective license and pay taxes..
Otherwise, do it in your own country..
Dura lex, sed lex..
GO JAPAN!!
TaiwanIsNotChina
Japan isn't running an empire and has no capability to do so with its geriatric population. From a distance we are entitled to laugh at its ridiculous "laws".
wallace
A bit short on the back and sides.
Foreign nationals who obtained a Japanese beautician's license will soon be able to work their magic at hair salons in Tokyo.
This means even holders of the beautician’s license cannot work in Japan unless they are permanent residents of the country.
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14646799
So he can't have a barber's license.
In order to acquire a Japanese license, you will have to enroll in a hair stylist school in Japan to take courses on the specified subjects and practical skills for 2 years (for 3 years by correspondence )and then take a national exam (on both academic subjects and skills) in Japanese.
Hercolobus
I guess you either need a license, permit, diploma, etc for anything that generates revenue that could be taxed. A casual haircut for free would not arouse such an interest.
Roy Sophveason
Nope. The fact that barbers need to acquire a license not from the tax office, but from the public health centre (保健所) should give you a hint about the actual reason.
itsonlyrocknroll
I from time to time I trim my nieces fringes, I am a fugitive from justice, I better get lawyered up.
Paul
A fascist state.
Spidey
I only have one question... Who ratted him out?
S
John
It’s not cheap, normal haircut price. He shouldn’t be arrested. Usually, he should be fined for doing it without a license. Arresting someone for haircut is an overkill.
mtuffizi
i don't think he will be arrested if done it without money involved, if he charged fee then should get a business license and pay income tax.
sir_bentley28
Who ever snitched on him is a Japanese version of a KAREN! I mean why was he even arrested? Couldn't the police tell him to stop because he needs a license to do that and assume that because he isn't Japanese, he may not know all the laws here?
Jayszee
I cut my hair by myself because Japans haircutter is so overrated and super expensive.
Wandora
Firstly, he probably isn’t paying tax, and secondly, this is not a Japanese thing. For example, from the UK govt website:
Davide Peretto
It is called: somebody who is not paying tax. It is not about the license.
GillislowTier
How many babrbers offer Vietnamese support and styles? Exactly. Dude was doing his local community a service. Same thing in the black community here in Japan. We cut each others hair because 99% of salons or barbers would refuse to. Or do the Japanese “eh?! Eh?! DOSHIO!!!” for 45 minutes when you just want a simple shave. Back off and arrest actual criminals
hows that Jonny’s investigation going again Japan?
Antiquesaving
In Japan it is harder to open a hair salon than a restaurant.
You don't need a license to open a restaurant, only the one day hygiene course and a one time city inspector to verify your your restaurant meets certain conditions.
After that you do what you want chances are you will never see an inspector for 100 years again.
But hair salon, barber need courses, tests, licensing ( different from Beaty/hair salon, and Barber hairdresser license cannot shave)
Getting approval for a home salon is insanely difficult as my wife's friend found out, but I am guessing the real violation this guy was arrested for was not declaring the ¥4.5 million in taxable income.
Again guessing running an in licensed hair salon would be more likely a fine but income tax avoidance is a serious crime.
Antiquesaving
If a "friend" cuts your hair as a friendship thing, there is no violation of the laws or the hygiene rules surrounding hair salon/barber licensing.
But if they are charging and it is a business then it is a violation and if not declaring that income then more seriously it is a criminal offense of tax evasion.
But I feel you, I have thin, now balding curly caucasian hair, no Japanese barber or hairdresser has the slightest idea what to do.
I had a guy used to work in the USA but has since left the business.
Need to find someone soon at a reasonable price, not the Azabu salons that are far from my place and cost a fortune just to cut a few cm.
wallace
A license is required for a restaurant.
Bar and Restaurant License
https://www.smejapan.com/japan-business-guides/company-incorporation-summary/business-licenses-in-japan/bar-and-restaurant-license/
Antiquesaving
And why am I not surprised by you showing up.
No you don't need a license in the same way you do for a hair salon but you use Google and think you are an expert.
I have a place, I have been through the process, hygiene one day course and a city inspection and the certificate is given once done.
You do not need any professional license except if you are doing to serve raw fish or fugu.
Your "poof" is a poorly stated article.
The "license" the claim is actually only a certification that the restaurant conforms to hygiene and safety, which are not very much and that at least on person has the one day hygiene course, it doesn't even have to be you and no one checks if that person is still working for you.
But go ahead google some more!
Moderator
Back on topic please.
Based
If I'm him or his lawyer:
"The haircuts were just favors for friends, acquaintances, and classmates. As for the money, well, those were just gifts."
I'd think the burden would then be on the prosecutor to prove otherwise.
But then again, this is Japan.
wallace
If you want to make a business here you will require permits and licenses and many other points. I was surprised to learn that a simple barber needs to be trained first.
But being an electrician or a tour guide you need permits. To continue my electrical experience here required I had to be tested and certified. Even with more than 30 years of previous experience.
It is very similar for many occupations in the US.
wallace
Kniknaknokkaer
When I was courting my now wife she casually mentioned she had a license to cut hair (she's not a hairdresser) and I laughed at her.
Kniknaknokkaer
Do yourself a favour, buy some clippers (balikan) and sort it out yourself. A few years ago I started off just giving myself buzz cuts of varying lengths but have since taught myself to do different styles, it's easy.
Antiquesaving
Thanks, I tried that, sadly other than shaved the silly curly ends stick up, I end up looking like a balding Tintin in just a few days.
It does give my wife and kids a good laugh though!
Jind
I the last 30 years or so, majority of my hairdressers have been Vietnamese.
I have no issues with that.
Geeter Mckluskie
"I had no idea that giving haircuts was even something that could get you arrested."
It's not. Charging people for haircuts and not paying taxes on your business earnings is.
Geeter Mckluskie
@Based wrote:
"If I'm him or his lawyer:
"The haircuts were just favors for friends, acquaintances, and classmates. As for the money, well, those were just gifts."
I'd think the burden would then be on the prosecutor to prove otherwise."
Gifts are taxed at a rate of 20% on the amount exceeding the accumulated threshold of JPY 25 million.
Futaro Gamagori
Based on the reactions i see, it seems like the term "licence" is taken too far away from what it actually mean in practice
This licence that you need to have is not impossible to get, it's actually just a certification from the government that shows they've checked and you actually can do whatever the certification is for on a acceptable level
Even manicurists have this
I reckon instead of calling it licence they should change it to "Certification"
Chico3
So, if my wife were to cut my hair, would she be arrested, too. I sometimes give her beer money, too. That's an exchange of payment. Or, if I were to shave my head off, will I go to jail, too?
Antiquesaving
You are correct but on top, the location must be approved by local authorities, this includes permission from the owner of the premises before you can get city approval.
All these small things are nothing much but the tax evasion will be the bigger problem.
profsid
uaintseemeJune 13 06:32 pm JST
They arrested him for $15 dollars on that day...wow.
They couldn't find the evidence for the purported 2,999 other haircuts.
BertieWooster
ILLEGAL HAIRCUT?????
This is so illogical it's ridiculous.
itsonlyrocknroll
Student visa has strict conditions OssanAmerica questioned, pointed out.
I question the need, the time taken, the cost, the resources to involved the police?
There are agencies that could have investigated, equipped to issue warnings of future enforcement action.
Futaro Gamagori
@Antiquesaving Yes, spot on
Like I said on my earlier comment, the videos I saw looked like the guy was running what seemed like a proper shop.. I think what really pinned him is the place got a "menu" with the prices
If only he stayed low key he could've kept going
There are a lot of people who run a side business who know better and do not get bothered by the coppers or the taxman
theFu
There are health issues involved. Improper cleaning can lead to lice being transferred between people. Being a licensed cosmologist is require in many countries if you want to be in business providing these services. Same for nail parlors. The risk of nail fungus infection is real.
There are other skin conditions that can be transferred accidentally. I got ringworm in China, for example. Not sure if it was from the foot spa or laundry or haircut. Symptoms showed up about a month into my trip.
Could happened anywhere in the world, but licenses for businesses like this are important.
Now, if someone cuts the hair for 20 of their friends every month, that's very different than running a business cutting 3000 people monthly..
justasking
I teach from my home; however, I file my taxes every year, pay health care and the list goes on. Had he filed taxes on the income he was bringing in my bet he would not have been bothered. For myself in all the years I have worked from my home there has never been an issue and yes never missed a tax season and there were years I did not owe and there were years I did.
Gobshite
Public enemy number one right there!
602miko
He did it on purpose he must pay the taxes, as everyone else works under 1500 yen but they'd paying tax
Geeter Mckluskie
"So, if my wife were to cut my hair, would she be arrested, too. I sometimes give her beer money, too. That's an exchange of payment."
If she pays you over 2.5 million yen and she doesn't pay taxes on it...yes
Geeter Mckluskie
*if she charges you over 2.5 million yen and doesn't pay taxes on it...yes"
Geeter Mckluskie
"Public enemy number one right there!"
Well, not number one...but a foreigner on a student visa running a business and not paying taxes...is a public enemy. Perhaps, you'd also like to tell us how Japan needs more foreign labour to prop up its falling tax base?
wallace
I think even foreign students are allowed 28 hours per week.
gaijintraveller
They will probably hold him for three weeks, release him, then immediately re-arrest him for tax evasion or something else.
As usual there is so much missing from the story. What type of visa does he have? Was he brought to Japan through the slave labour, sorry training system? Was he fired from a Japanese company or just simply not paid by one?
Did he give receipts for the haircuts? That would be proof of doing business. Did he just receive tips, gratuities, and is that illegal.
桜川雪
What about implicit reciprocity instead of charging money? So technically you're giving free haircuts for friends. Those friends may gift you later with food or help with rent.
Chico3
In this day and age (especially with the economy here), as long as the haircuts are alright, I have no complaints; especially so if the barbers pay their share of taxes.
1glenn
I guess we should all be grateful that something as inconsequential as giving illegal haircuts is what passes for earth-shattering news in Japan.
Khuniri
Seigi-san, you can get your hair cut for a most reasonable price in Japan…And why should the barber be able to speak English? ここは日本ですよ！