Rampant larceny and general lawlessness are not phenomena one normally associates with Japan. Of course there are the occasional bizarre stories which make the news of salarymen, ravaged by the effects of excessive overtime and hunger, who temporarily take leave of their senses to steal a 100Yen onigiri (rice ball) from a convenience store. On the whole however, crime rates in Japan remain comparatively low.
The Japanese do however seem to have a proclivity for stealing vans, and one type of van in particular - the Toyota Hiace. According to the latest research from the General Insurance Association of Japan, in 2008, the Toyota Hiace was the most regularly stolen vehicle in Japan for the second year in succession. In 2008, 98 Hiaces were reported stolen, representing 15.3% of all vehicles reported stolen in Japan in 2008. Fortunately for Hiace owners everywhere, the current trend for stealing the vehicles is showing signs of easing, having fallen from a peak of 134 thefts in 2007.
While there may be more interesting vehicles out there for the taking (and without wishing to condone grand theft auto, I would urge the potential offenders among you to make off with something other than a Hiace), it is the Hiace's ubiquity which perhaps helps to account for its status as Japan's most stolen vehicle. Since it first came on the scene in 1967 the Hiace has functioned as the commerical workhorse of the nation, becoming the vehicle of choice for tradesmen, happy campers and right-wing nationalist groups alike. (As a further aside, if you are intent on stealing a Hiace, I would recommend the camper van version, as at least then you can get a bit of shut eye while waiting the long arm of the law.)
The Suzuki Wagon R came in a distant second (38 reported stolen), proving again that Japanese car thieves are not particularly discerning in their choice of vehicles.
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