park worker did not charge foreign tourists for two years for fear of talking to them

An employee of Shinjuku Gyoen Park in Tokyo let foreign visitors into the garden without paying them for two and a half years, for fear of interacting with them, reports the Japanese chain NHK (in Japanese), Thursday, October 25th. The losses generated were estimated at 25 million yen, or nearly 200,000 euros, specifies West France.

The employee, a septuagenarian, speaks only Japanese, according to NHK, and worried about having to talk with visitors. This park is particularly popular during cherry blossoms and the price of a ticket is around 200 yen (about 1.60 euro). Other employees, surprised by the difference between the receipts collected and the number of visitors, denounced the situation. The employee had to take early retirement, says NHK. Contacted by the Japanese chain, the Ministry of the Environment, which manages the park, did not comment.

In Japan, according to France 2, 10% of employees have exceeded the retirement age of 65 years. Many Japanese continue to work to supplement their small pensions, and hold part-time or full-time positions.