Japan's electronics stores crack down on duty-free resales

TOKYO -- Consumer electronics chains across Japan are working to thwart inbound tourists who abuse their tax-free status by making bulk purchases of high-value items to sell them later at markup.

Bic Camera is rolling out an automated system that records the passport numbers of customers who make tax-free purchases and shares the information with roughly 200 locations groupwide, including outlets of affiliate electronics chains Kojima and Sofmap.