Overview
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police sent papers on a 63-year-old company representative and her firm to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Invasive Alien Species Act.
- Investigators say the shop kept eight non-native animals for sale between July and August, including red-eared sliders, a snapping turtle and American bullfrogs.
- Authorities seized capture tools and live specimens during the probe, with police describing this as the first nationwide case tied to red-eared sliders under the designation.
- The woman told investigators the animals were sold for food and said she was unaware of their legal status, according to the Asahi Shimbun.
- Two Chinese nationals were also referred on suspicion of supplying seven animals in May and July after catching them locally and delivering them to the store.