The world has seen its fair share of unusual criminals, but few have earned the title of “key-copying demon.” Ryota Miyahara, a 34-year-old office worker from Tokyo, stunned Japan and beyond with his bizarre method of breaking into women’s homes.
His ability to steal personal details, order duplicate keys online, and invade the privacy of his victims made him a serial housebreaker like no other.
However, his downfall came in the most unexpected manner—losing track of time while watching television in a victim’s house. His case has sparked widespread discussions about privacy, security, and the loopholes in Japan’s key duplication system.
The Key-Copying Scheme and Stalking Methods
Ryota Miyahara’s criminal activities began when he devised a meticulous strategy to target women working in cafes and restaurants. He would frequent these establishments, observing female staff and identifying potential victims.
His method of intrusion was shockingly simple yet effective—he would secretly note down office codes, access restricted areas, and steal personal information from employees’ belongings.
One of his victims, an unidentified waitress, became the subject of his sinister plans after he infiltrated her workplace’s office. Miyahara seized the opportunity when a staff member stepped away, discreetly entering the office and rifling through the woman’s bag.
From her driving license, he memorized her home address and examined her house key. By noting the manufacturer’s details and key number, he secured enough information to order a duplicate key online.
Japan’s key duplication system proved to be dangerously vulnerable, as it allowed him to obtain spare keys simply by providing manufacturer details. Over time, Miyahara used this method to create duplicate keys for multiple victims, sneaking into their homes repeatedly.
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His eerie confession after his arrest revealed his strange obsession—he did not always steal but instead entered homes to “breathe in the air” and admire the cleanliness. Despite the absence of physical harm, the psychological trauma his victims endured was profound.
New Year’s Eve Break-In and Shocking Arrest
Miyahara’s crimes continued for months without detection, but his obsession led to a careless mistake that resulted in his arrest. On December 31, he once again used his duplicate key to enter the home of his chosen victim.
Finding that her suitcase was missing, he assumed she was out of town for New Year’s celebrations. Instead of making a quick exit, he made himself comfortable on her sofa, turned on the television, and indulged in a popular New Year’s Eve show.
For over two hours, Miyahara immersed himself in the program, completely oblivious to the fact that his time was running out. Unfortunately for him, the police were already on his trail. Authorities had been investigating a series of suspicious break-ins, and through careful tracking and surveillance, they finally caught up with the key-copying criminal.
As officers stormed into the apartment, they found Miyahara lounging in front of the television, seemingly unfazed by the intrusion. In his bag, they discovered five additional spare keys, each labeled with names of different shops and victims—an organized archive of his crimes.
The sheer scale of his activities stunned investigators, as he later admitted to having copied between 15 and 20 keys using the same method. His arrest put an end to a spree that had violated the security of numerous women in Tokyo.
Public Outrage and the Security Loophole Exposed
The revelation of Miyahara’s crimes triggered a wave of outrage among the public, particularly in Japan and China, where the news went viral.
Netizens expressed disbelief at the sheer boldness of his actions and the apparent ease with which he managed to duplicate house keys. Many were shocked that such a serious security flaw existed, allowing criminals to order spare keys online with minimal verification.
One online commenter exclaimed, “Japan’s key duplication system is way too loose. You can duplicate a spare key online? This is terrifying.” Others labeled Miyahara as “perverted” and “dangerous,” with some even comparing his behavior to that of villains from psychological thrillers.
His victim, still shaken by the repeated intrusions, voiced her anger, stating that she could not forgive Miyahara for violating her sense of security and privacy.
Miyahara’s arrest highlighted a major gap in home security, prompting discussions on stricter regulations for key duplication services. Experts pointed out that while technological advancements have made daily life more convenient, they have also made it easier for criminals to exploit loopholes.
Calls for enhanced security measures, such as digital locks and identity verification for key duplication, gained momentum in the aftermath of the case.
The bizarre nature of Miyahara’s downfall—getting caught while watching television—added an unusual twist to an otherwise disturbing series of crimes. His careless arrogance, coupled with his obsessive tendencies, ultimately led to his capture.
The case serves as a stark reminder that personal security should never be taken lightly and that even the most calculated criminals can slip up in unexpected ways.
The arrest of the “key-copying demon” may have put an end to his unsettling activities, but the impact of his crimes will likely linger. For his victims, the trauma of knowing a stranger had unrestricted access to their personal space is an ordeal that cannot easily be forgotten.
Meanwhile, the broader conversation about home security and privacy in the digital age continues, as authorities and citizens alike seek to prevent similar breaches in the future.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏