Society

Sumiyoshi-Kai Leader and Hong Kong Mafia Allegedly Form Pact

TOKYO, Jun 10 (News On Japan) - A total of five individuals, including senior figures from organized crime groups, have been arrested on suspicion of reserving a hotel room without disclosing their ties to criminal organizations. Authorities believe the site was used to conduct an alliance ceremony between a Japanese gang and the Hong Kong-based mafia group known as 14K.

Kazuaki Tajima, 53, identified as a top leader in the Sumiyoshi-kai syndicate, and Utaro Shirai, 53, a senior figure in the quasi-gang group "Chinese Dragon", allegedly concealed their gang affiliations when booking a hotel in Yamanashi Prefecture two years ago.

Police suspect that during the hotel stay, Tajima participated in a ritual known as sakazuki-goto—a sake-sharing ceremony signifying a formal alliance—with members of the 14K mafia, mediated by Shirai and others.

Investigators believe the purpose of the alliance was to facilitate criminal activities across both Japan and Hong Kong. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police are now looking into possible links to broader international crime networks.

Source: FNN

Fujii Becomes Youngest Lifetime Triple Crown Holder in Shogi History

Shogi champion Sota Fujii, who defended his title in the prestigious Ryuo Tournament, expressed his joy on November 11th after becoming the youngest player in history to qualify for the lifetime title of "Eisei Ryuo" (Lifetime Ryuo).

Japan Plans to Triple Departure Tax to 3,000 Yen

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) policy committee has drafted a resolution calling on the government to raise the “departure tax” to secure funds for overtourism countermeasures. The proposal seeks to increase the current 1,000 yen per-person levy to 3,000 yen, and to set the rate at 5,000 yen for travelers using business class or higher.

Tokyo Issues Influenza Epidemic Warning for First Time in 16 Years

Tokyo Metropolitan Government issued an influenza epidemic warning on November 13th after the number of reported cases reached the alert threshold, marking the first such announcement in November in 16 years.

Russia Bans 30 More Japanese Nationals

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on November 11th that it has decided to impose an indefinite entry ban on 30 Japanese nationals as a countermeasure against what it called Japan’s “hostile policies” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mother of 12-Year-Old Thai Girl Caught In Prostitution Gets Arrest Warrant

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for the mother of a 12-year-old Thai girl who was illegally employed at a massage parlor in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Act.

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Boy Falls to Death From 10th Floor Apartment

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Princess Aiko Visits Imperial Mausoleums Ahead of Laos Trip

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