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Japan gangs to be labeled ‘violent’ for 9th time

The Tokyo government will label the Inagawa-kai (emblem above) and the Sumiyoshi-kai as 'violent' organizations for the 9th time
The Tokyo government will label the Inagawa-kai (emblem above) and the Sumiyoshi-kai as ‘violent’ organizations for the 9th time

TOKYO (TR) – The Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission on Monday announced that two of Japan’s largest organized crime groups will be designated as “violent” for the ninth time, reports the Sankei Shimbun (June 13).

The commission said that the Inagawa-kai and Sumiyoshi-kai, both of which have headquarters in Minato Ward, will be given the boryokudan (meaning “violent organization”) designation on June 23, with the label extending for three years.

Earlier this month, the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan’s largest gang, received the boryokudan designation also for the ninth time. In April, the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, which formed last year as a rival to the Yamaguchi-gumi, received the label for the first time.

The designation is based on the Anti-Organized Crime Law of 1991. Under the label, police are able to more easily make arrests of gang members and restrict activities.

According to data from the National Police Agency, the Sumiyoshi-kai is the second-largest gang in Japan with the number of regular and affiliate members totaling 7,300. The Inagawa-kai ranks fourth with a membership of 5,800.