TOKYO: A valuable teacup made of pure 24-carat gold, valued at over 10 million yen ($65,000), was reported stolen from a Takashimaya department store in Tokyo on Thursday. The theft occurred during an event showcasing a collection of gold items, including teaware and tableware.
According to a spokesman from Takashimaya, the stolen teacup was among the most expensive pieces displayed, part of an exhibition featuring over 1,000 gleaming items. The cup was housed in an unlocked transparent box for customers to examine closely, providing an opportunity for the thief to easily remove it.
Security camera footage captured the theft, showing a man concealing the golden teacup in his bag before leaving the scene. Authorities are currently searching for the suspect based on this information.
Despite the incident, the gold item display will continue, although Takashimaya plans to enhance security measures to prevent future thefts.
This theft follows a recent embarrassment for Takashimaya involving a Christmas cake debacle, where many cakes delivered to customers in December were found to be damaged, prompting public apologies and reimbursements from the company.
