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Sumiyoshi-kai boss arrested on weapons charge, threatened Tokyo construction offices

Sumiyoshi-kai boss arrested in Tokyo for possession of bullets
Yasuhiro Uesaki

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Tuesday arrested a gang boss within the Sumiyoshi-kai organized crime group for possession of bullets three years ago, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 5).

Officers from the anti-organized crime division took Sumiyoshi-kai boss Yasuhiro Uesaki, 46, into custody for allegedly possessing six rounds of ammunition inside an envelope at a meeting at an apartment building in Shibuya Ward in May of 2009 — a violation of the Swords and Firearms Control Law.

The apartment was that of fellow member Yasutaka Matsuda, 56, who was also arrested on the same charge.

Kamizaki has reportedly denied the allegations, while Matsuda has admitted involvement.

That same month envelopes containing bullets were sent to six project site offices of two general contractors — Taisei Construction and Kajima — working on a redevelopment project near the Sumiyoshi-kai headquarters in Shinjuku Ward.

While investigating the incidents at the construction sites, investigators were lead to the suspects. However, TBS News (Dec. 4) reports, a lapse in the statute of limitations eliminated the possibility of additional charges regarding threatening acts from being applied.

The Sankei reports that following the sending of the ammunition, 10 shooting incidents took place at construction sites in Tokyo. Investigators are now investigating whether Uesaki participated.