Israeli consul in Tokyo says 30 Israelis detained in Japan, promise of earning quick buck is bogus
By Iris Jorlet
TOKYO - Israeli involvement in criminal activity in East Asian countries is causing serious damage to the country’s image and could also threaten national security, Israeli consul in Tokyo Moshe Harel told Ynet.
Some 30 Israelis are currently being held in Japanese prisons for various offenses, and a growing number of Israelis are involved in drug trafficking and selling forged passports in the country. Just two months ago two Iranians were caught with fake Israeli passports.
According to Harel, this growing trend has increased Japanese authorities’ fear of Israeli-initiated crime in the country, which in turn is making it harder for Israelis to enter Japan.
As a result, every Israeli who arrives in Japan is regarded as a suspect and goes through a detailed interrogation.