>>564638
Look, you're a sucker if you don't play into the established norm. Here's how it works
>there's an umbrella rack usually outside of stores, and even on some sidewalks, because Japan can just break out into rain very quickly and you don't want to get caught in it
>people leave their umbrellas on the racks to dry while inside
>the general rule is you put an umbrella on the rack when you go in, take one off when you leave, all fair
>but hey, that person left a really nice umbrella on the rack, and the same amount of umbrellas are going on and taking off so it's not like they'll be left out in the rain
>so what if I just trade up....
And that's how it becomes a nationwide thing. As I said, it's the one acceptable form of theft in the country, and it's why everyone just buys the cheap 500 yen umbrellas from convenience stores, because only those desperate to escape the rain will steal that