Overview
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Police on January 21 publicly listed Obata Hiroaki, 40, on suspicion of violating the Tokyo anti-yakuza ordinance.
- Investigators allege Obata and others paid ¥600,000 in mikaijime money to a Yamaguchi-gumi–affiliated executive in Shibuya on July 24, 2023.
- Authorities printed 10,000 wanted posters with Obata’s photo and asked the public to contact the anti-gang unit or local police with information.
- Police estimate the scout network known as Natural had about 1,500 members nationwide and earned roughly ¥4.45 billion in 2022 from sex-industry referral fees.
- The case has been complicated by a bespoke smartphone app used to evade detection and by the November arrest of a police assistant inspector over leaked investigation details.