Twin Brothers Busted Stealing Copper from Shrine Roof

Oct 07, 2026 | News On Japan

KOCHI - Twin brothers have been arrested on suspicion of stealing copper roofing from a remote shrine in Kochi Prefecture, as police investigate a series of similar thefts reported at about 10 shrines across the prefecture since around September 2025.

The latest case occurred at Jinga Shrine in Kami, Kochi Prefecture, located near the top of a mountain about 30 minutes by car from a residential area.

Large sections of copper sheeting had been stripped from the roof of a storage building used to house portable shrines and other equipment, leaving waterproof material exposed underneath.

Police said 123 copper plates worth about 280,000 yen were stolen from the building during the early hours of September 30.

Masamichi Kajiwara, head of the Inono district in Kahoku, Kami, expressed anger over the theft. "It is extremely regrettable, and I feel outraged. The shrine is a place everyone in the district relies on and a source of spiritual support."

Police later identified twin brothers as suspects in the investigation.

The two arrested on suspicion of theft are 37-year-old Takatoshi Okamoto and his twin brother, Shinya Okamoto, also 37.

Similar thefts have been reported at about 10 shrines across Kochi Prefecture since around September 2025. Police are investigating whether the brothers were involved in additional cases.

Source: FNN

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