Photo/Illutration The headquarters of Miyagi prefectural police, who believe that the illegal rental of JR travel passes is widespread within the Vietnamese community in Japan. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

SENDAI–Police have arrested four Vietnamese nationals on suspicion of fraudulent use of the JR East Pass, a rail pass designed to allow foreign visitors to Japan unlimited rides in designated areas.

Nguyen Bao Ha, 29, and Huynh Thi Thuy Duong, 26, from Sendai and Yachiyo, Chiba Prefecture, respectively, were apprehended on Sept. 20 on suspicion of fraud.

The pair allegedly purchased East Japan Railway Co.’s JR East Pass on Feb. 29 and then rented it out to multiple individuals for a fee, despite the pass being explicitly non-transferable.

The pass, priced at 30,000 yen ($208) for adults, offers unlimited travel within Tokyo and the surrounding areas for five consecutive days, including on JR East lines, the Tokyo Monorail and Izukyu lines.

Miyagi prefectural police discovered social media posts offering to rent passes to individuals, who were charged approximately 4,000 yen per use. Police believe the handovers occurred using train station coin lockers here.

Police also arrested Tran Dai Hiep, 25, and Dinh Thi Oanh, 25, both Vietnamese nationals from Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, for allegedly receiving a JR East Pass, knowing it was offered to them illegally.

Investigators have not disclosed whether the four admitted to or denied the charges.

Officials suspect that the abuse of JR East Pass has become a common practice within the Vietnamese community in Japan.

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