In the early 1980s, Japan was shaken by a series of audacious and mysterious crimes that gripped the nation for years: the Glico-Morinaga kidnapping and the activities of the so-called "Monster with 21 Faces." These events were the stuff of both police thriller and urban legend, meticulously planned, chillingly executed, and marked by a series of cryptic letters, taunting phone calls, and brazen extortion attempts. The combination of corporate sabotage and psychological warfare created an enduring mystery that has yet to be fully unraveled.
The saga began in 1984 when the Glico Corporation, one of Japan’s largest candy manufacturers, was targeted in a bizarre and elaborate kidnapping scheme. The company’s president, Katsuhisa Glico, was abducted from his home by a group of masked assailants. They held him for several days, torturing him and demanding a ransom. In the midst of the kidnapping, the group sent a series of letters to Glico executives, threatening to poison their products if the company did not comply with their demands. The kidnapper's message was clear: not only would Glico face enormous financial losses, but their public reputation would be destroyed if they failed to meet the ransom.
The story took a darker turn when the kidnappers, who referred to themselves as "The Monster with 21 Faces," released a string of cryptic, taunting messages. The group’s name was taken from the idea of multiple identities, but their exact motivations were unclear. They targeted not only Glico but also other major food companies, including Morinaga, a competitor in the confectionery market. In subsequent weeks, the group sent a series of anonymous letters to the press, threatening to contaminate products with cyanide and other poisons if their demands were not met. They were remarkably skilled in their psychological manipulation, carefully controlling the media narrative and keeping the public on edge.
In one infamous instance, the Monster with 21 Faces sent a letter to the police, warning them that cyanide had been placed in several candy packages on store shelves. The public panic that ensued was palpable, as both Glico and Morinaga products were removed from shelves nationwide. The group’s aim seemed to be both financial gain and a twisted form of social control, manipulating public perception while evading capture with ease. Their activities made headlines, but despite massive efforts from law enforcement, they remained one step ahead.
The Monster with 21 Faces did not limit their actions to extortion and public threats. They took pleasure in mocking the police, often leaving behind clues that were just cryptic enough to lead investigators down dead ends. In 1985, they made their most audacious move yet, when they sent a letter to the media proclaiming victory in the Glico case and claiming that they had "won the game" after the company finally paid the ransom. However, no concrete evidence ever emerged that linked the letters to the actual criminal group. The case seemed to become a game of cat and mouse, with no final resolution in sight.
As the months turned into years, the group’s activities began to taper off, but the impact of their reign of terror on Japan’s food industry was profound. Both Glico and Morinaga suffered significant financial losses. Yet the police were no closer to capturing the criminals. In 1987, the Glico-Morinaga case seemed to come to an abrupt end, with the disappearance of the Monster with 21 Faces. Despite many arrests and investigations, the true identities of the criminals remained a mystery.
The Glico-Morinaga kidnapping and the Monster with 21 Faces remain one of Japan’s most enigmatic criminal cases. The group’s ability to manipulate public opinion, target high-profile companies, and evade capture has left investigators and the public alike with more questions than answers. In the decades since the crimes, there have been occasional attempts to reopen the case, but it remains unsolved. Some theorize that the group was a loosely connected network of criminals, while others speculate that the Monster with 21 Faces may have been a single mastermind hiding in plain sight.
What makes the case even more chilling is the psychological effect it had on Japan’s public consciousness. For a time, any food product, no matter how benign, could be perceived as a potential threat. The fear of contamination loomed large in the minds of consumers, and the memory of the Monster with 21 Faces lingered long after the group disappeared. Despite the passage of time, the Glico-Morinaga kidnapping continues to capture the imagination of true crime enthusiasts and researchers alike, not only for the mystery of the criminals themselves but for the trail of terror and manipulation they left behind.
Sources & Further Reading:
– Japanese National Police Agency archives on the Glico-Morinaga case
– News reports from The Japan Times and Asahi Shimbun during the 1984-1987 period
– “The Monster with 21 Faces: Japan’s Most Bizarre Crime” by David L. Harter
– Documentaries and true crime podcasts exploring the psychological impact of the Glico-Morinaga extortion case
– Investigations and analyses by Japanese criminologists on criminal group dynamics in the case
(One of many stories shared by Headcount Coffee — where mystery, history, and late-night reading meet.)
