Press "Enter" to skip to content

Saitama cops: Osaka chef released dozens of cockroaches during concert

Saitama police have arrested a chef for releasing a type of cockroach known as Turkestan during a concert last year at Saitama Super Arena
Saitama police have arrested a chef for releasing a type of cockroach known as Turkestan during a concert last year at Saitama Super Arena (soil777.blog29.fc2.com)

SAITAMA (TR) – Saitama Prefectural Police have arrested a chef from Osaka for allegedly releasing dozens of live cockroaches during an anime song concert at an arena last year, reports TBS News (Mar. 23).

On the evening of August 28, Kazuyuki Kawatani, a 33-year-old resident of Highashi Osaka City, allegedly let loose up to 30 cockroaches inside the Saitama Super Arena, located in Saitama City, during the Animelo Summer Live 2016 concert attended by around 2,700 persons.

Kawatani, who has been charged with interfering with business operations, admits to the allegations, according to the Omiya Police Station.

An animal trade was held at the arena the same day. Police suspect that Kawatani bought the insects at the show, where a variety known as Turkestan was available as feed for reptiles.

Witnesses in the audience spotted the cockroaches fluttering on the floor around times when the suspect danced with his arms raised over his head in tune with the music, according to the NHK (Mar. 23). Staff members for the event then collected the insects, which led to the charges against the suspect.