A woman of American-Korean descent was arrested at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on Saturday after customs officers discovered she was carrying $60,000 in cash without declaring it to authorities. The arrest has raised questions about potential money laundering and violations of Japan’s strict currency control laws.
The woman, identified as 29-year-old Ava Kim, was reportedly attempting to board a flight to Seoul, South Korea, when she was selected for a routine inspection at the airport. During the search, officials found the large sum of cash concealed in her carry-on luggage. Under Japanese law, travelers are required to declare any amount exceeding ¥1 million (approximately $7,000) when entering or leaving the country
Ava Kim, who’s American citizens, born of a Korean mother reportedly told authorities that she was unaware of the legal requirement, claiming the money was meant to support her business ventures in South Korea. However, investigators remain skeptical of her explanation and are examining possible links to illegal activities.
Japanese customs officials have emphasized that while possessing large amounts of cash is not illegal, failing to declare it can be considered a violation of the country’s anti-money laundering regulations. The law is designed to prevent the transfer of illicit funds across borders and ensure transparency in financial transactions.
Kim has been detained for questioning and faces charges that could include fines
The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about money laundering and the movement of large sums of unreported cash across international borders. Authorities in Japan and around the world have increasingly tightened their regulations on financial transactions in an effort to combat illegal activities such as terrorism financing and money laundering
