TOKYO -- In response to a string of burglaries mainly in the greater Tokyo area involving those working "dark gigs," the National Police Agency (NPA) is considering introducing undercover investigations where police personnel apply for such part-time jobs to get in contact with criminal groups, a source related to the matter told the Mainichi Shimbun.

In these dark gigs where people get recruited via social media, applicants are directed to highly confidential apps by those giving instructions, and are asked to send personal information such as images of identification documents, including driver's licenses.

According to the source, in the envisioned undercover investigations, police personnel would create fake driver's licenses and other IDs for fictitious individuals, and then apply for the dark jobs posted on social media. If requested by the person giving instructions, they would send the fake license images. The investigators would then go to the designated meeting place specified by the instructor and make contact with other applicants. The aim is to crack down on criminal activities, such as robberies, before they occur.

Under normal circumstances, creating fake IDs would be considered forgery of official documents, which is a criminal offense. However, the Penal Code stipulates that such actions performed "in accordance with laws or legitimate duties are not punishable." The NPA has determined that illegality is negated in this case and is consulting with relevant government agencies. The agency plans to develop operational guidelines and implement the practice as early as next year, limiting its use exclusively to cases involving dark job-related crimes.

Japanese police have previously carried out sting operations, in which investigators conceal their identities, but only in limited cases, such as drug investigations. However, undercover investigation methods as envisioned for dark gig-related crimes, where investigators actively falsify their identities, have not been employed before.

From 2010 to 2012, an expert panel convened by the National Public Safety Commission chairperson to discuss advanced investigative techniques and interrogation methods debated the use of undercover investigations. While concerns were raised about potentially disrupting the public identification system, others pointed out that such methods could help uncover the truth behind highly organized crimes.

Such undercover investigations have already been introduced in some countries.

(Japanese original Masakatsu Yamasaki, Tokyo City News Department)