Three Chinese men, whose names have been withheld, were taken into custody last week by Japanese authorities for amassing 990 packs of disposable diapers or a grand total of 40,000 singles.

Carrying Visa applications, they posed to work as chefs in a Chinese restaurant in the city of Akashi. However, instead of filling their carts with cooking ingredients, the Chinese nationals had something else in mind.

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According to reports, the men's shopping spree lasted five days. They went around the Kansai region and were able to visit 267 stores. Japanese police believe that the ridiculous stockpile of Merries, stored in a warehouse, was to be transported and resold in China.

The wannabe nappy moguls were taking advantage of the market superiority of quality Japanese brands. Daio Paper, manufacturers of the coveted Goo.n disposables, has already dealt with counterfeit versions that are making its round in the Chinese market. "Trafficked" diaper products are able to sell 50 percent more than their original price.

Local consumers have taken to Twitter to complain about empty shelves, no thanks to Chinese tourists. Interesting to note that Merries is also locally produced in China, but the market still prefers Japan-produced goods for better quality.

Japanese manufacturers are already discussing with Chinese trade authorities on how to stop nappy counterfeiting. Chinese tourists are also observed to hoard milk and facial wash products when shopping abroad.

To prove the Chinese' distrust for domestic products, New York Times reported last year that Chinese tourists have caused the shortage of infant milk formula in "at least half a dozen countries, from the Netherlands to New Zealand". This odd consumer phenomenon has put officials on their toes, launching efforts to "buy China".

Recent developments, as with the case of the Nippon nappy-nappers, lead many to believe that the government's efforts have done very little to convince mothers.

TagsChinese nationals diaper, China diaper, Counterfeit diapers in China, Diaper deportation, diaper hoarders