Overview
- A 61-year-old former Sumiyoshi-kai affiliate, Yoshitsugu Sekine, was arrested in Tokyo on fraud suspicion for posing as an active yakuza and taking about ¥300,000 in repeated “mika-jime” payments from January to November after leaving the gang in 2023.
- Police said the suspect allegedly collected monthly fees from eateries and a construction firm, noting that demanding protection money is illegal regardless of gang status and urging businesses to report undue pressure.
- In Isumi, Chiba, a woman in her 50s died after her neck was slashed at a company on Dec. 5; a male coworker in his 30s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder as investigators continue the case.
- Miyazaki Prefectural Police are searching for a roughly 20-year-old man after a Dec. 4 robbery-assault at a gas station in Nobeoka; officers circulated a description including black hoodie, black-rimmed glasses, blue mask, and a bladelike weapon.
- The Hokkaido Peace Forum submitted signatures from 346 unions and civic groups opposing the restart of the Tomari No. 3 reactor, while a Hokuyo Bank branch in Nakashibetsu recently thwarted a scam that targeted an 82-year-old with a bogus ¥3,000 fee for a supposed ¥300 million ‘support’ payout.