Why Japan is losing its prized bonsai trees to theft and trafficking

The art of bonsai, a deeply cherished aspect of Japanese culture, is currently under threat. A surge in the popularity of these miniature trees has led to an alarming increase in thefts, with organised criminal groups often targeting prized specimens for sale overseas.

The Nippon Bonsai Growers Cooperative reported 25 thefts across 11 prefectures since February 2023, including a case where a bonsai worth over 3 million yen was stolen. On 3 May, 2024, 33 bonsai trees valued at 18.8 million yen (20,000 USD) were taken from a store in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Eyewitnesses and other sources suggest that foreign nationals are often involved, with stolen bonsai appearing on US social media sites, reported Kyodo news agency.

Rising popularity and vulnerability

The global fascination with bonsai has soared in recent years, particularly following the 2020 lifting of a ban on exporting Japanese black pine bonsai to the European Union.

This increased demand has not only boosted exports but also attracted the attention of thieves. According to the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), bonsai exports reached approximately 910 billion yen (approximately 6 billion USD) in 2023, nearly triple the amount in 2020.

Tatsuharu Takeshita, a 72-year-old bonsai seller from Inazawa, central Japan, told Kyodo news agency, “Recently all anyone talks about in the industry is theft. It’s unbearable.” Takeshita’s shop, Koyoen, has lost 15 bonsai trees in two separate incidents, one of which involved thieves cutting through a protective fence.

International trafficking via organised crime

The involvement of organised criminal groups in bonsai thefts has become increasingly evident. In central Japan, police arrested three Vietnamese men in April and May on suspicion of stealing bonsai, using tracking devices placed by the owner to trace the stolen trees. A senior investigator emphasized the need for businesses to enhance security measures.

Yusei Sasaki, third-generation owner from Mifune, southwestern Japan, spoke to This Week in Asia, and voiced his anger and sadness after losing 33 bonsai worth 18.8 million yen: “I’m so angry that I’m ready to beat the thieves if they come here again. But, above all, I want the trees to come back safe and sound because bonsai is a work of art that takes an infinite amount of time to create.”

The Mainichi newspaper reported that police in Aichi prefecture arrested two Vietnamese nationals suspected of stealing seven bonsai valued at 5.3 million yen, including a kuromatsu (black pine). These men, a 20-year-old student and a 33-year-old construction worker, are believed to have conducted multiple thefts, selling the trees to collectors in China and Southeast Asia.

Japanese invest in security measures

Bonsai nurseries across Japan are investing in new security measures to protect their valuable trees. The Gashou-en nursery, for instance, is considering enhancing its security systems after thieves managed to evade motion-activated lights and CCTV cameras, reported SCMP.

The Nippon Bonsai Growers’ Cooperative has advised its members to avoid linking their premises to Google Maps, as thieves might use the app for reconnaissance.

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Kazuhiro Takebe’s Bonsai Life nursery in Mie prefecture has been targeted twice, losing a total of 80 trees. “It is becoming a big problem for everyone in the bonsai business,” Takebe told SCMP. “We had security in place before, but we have installed extra cameras and alarms since the second theft. We also plan to construct a new, higher wall around the nursery.”

Despite these efforts, the problem persists. “These groups are very organised, and they are stealing to order,” Takebe added. “We have heard that some other nurseries have had their stolen bonsai returned, but none of ours have been returned yet.”

What is the cultural significance of Bonsai?

Bonsai, meaning “tray planting,” is a centuries-old art form that originated from China, particularly from the Tang dynasty pastime of penjing. It was introduced to Japan in the 6th century and further refined by Zen Buddhist principles.

Bonsai trees are not genetically miniature; rather, they are regular trees meticulously cultivated to remain small. This painstaking process can take decades, and some bonsai, like the 500-year-old specimen in the Tokyo Imperial Palace collection, are considered national treasures.

The theft of bonsai trees is not just a financial loss but a cultural one. Each tree represents years of dedication and artistic expression.

With inputs from agencies