The Curious Phenomenon Of Elderly Japanese Women Going To Jail On Purpose

Why are elderly women in Japan trying to get thrown into prison on purpose? Poverty, loneliness, or something else? Watch this video to find out the reason for this curious phenomenon!

Japan is going through a senior citizen crime crisis. Elderly Japanese women are being arrested more than any other demographic. 1 in 5 women in Japan’s prisons are elderly, 90% of whom are arrested for shoplifting. The reason for these failed five finger discounts is loneliness!

Over 6 million women in Japan over the age of 65 live alone. Many have no family or friends, and over half live in poverty. Many of these women are intentionally trying to get sent to jail, in order to escape impoverished or lonely lives. So they intentionally go to prison where they are guaranteed food and shelter. As prisoners they get relief from the stresses of life on their own, and they find a sense of community that they didn’t have on the outside.

Japan can’t keep up with the demand for this brand new staycation destination. Women’s prisons look more like nursing homes and are expensive to run. Medical care for these aging prisoners costs more than $50 million a year, which is 80% more than the previous decade.
It is very sad to find out the real reason for this curious phenomenon. Who would have thought that people would get that lonely that they would want to go to prison only to have some kind of company and sense of community.

After watching this video did you get the urge to call your grandmother, if you still have one, to remind her that you still care about her, and of course to keep her out of trouble, because now you know what loneliness can do to a person!