Between May 31 and June 1, 2022, Shuji Ogawa, who is also known as Osamu Ogawa, and four other affiliate members, allegedly broke into the home of the late former Sumiyoshi-kai chairman Isao Seki in Kashiwa City and stole 50 million yen in cash.
Police have not disclosed whether Ogawa, 72, and his accomplices admit to the charges.
Also arrested was Kenji Otawa, 68-year-old head of an affiliate organization in Mobara City, Chiba. According to police, Ogawa gave the instructions with the other gang members carrying out the robbery. The crime is believed to have been committed shortly after the death of Seki on May 31, 2022.
At the time of the incident, the home was being managed by a woman in her 50s. On October 22, 2023, the suspects summoned, surrounded and threatened the woman in the same city, intending to force her to accept 20 million yen and withdraw a complaint she had filed.
For the latter case, police have also accused the suspects of witness intimidation and other charges.
According to the National Police Agency and other sources, the Sumiyoshi-kai, based in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, had approximately 2,100 members as of the end of 2024. The group is second in size to the Yamaguchi-gumi, a syndicate with approximately 3,300 members.
