KANAGAWA – Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a 79-year-old senior member of the Inagawa-kai crime syndicate and four other gang-affiliated individuals on suspicion of fraud.
According to police, boss Kim Yeong-cheol, Shinichi Kubota, 58, Takanori Suzuki, 52, and two other suspects lied in order to operate food stalls at a local shrine festival last year, reports the Asahi Shimbun (May 20).
In carrying out the fraud, the suspects submitted a written oath to a local organizing committee for an October festival at a shrine in Kawasaki City’s Nakahara Ward.
The document falsely pledged, “I swear I am not a member of an organized crime group,” allowing them to illegally obtain permits to set up shop.
The gang members subsequently operated three stalls — selling yakisoba noodles, beer and stew — during the two-day festival on October 25 and 26.
Police have not disclosed whether Kim, who lives in Kawasaki’s Takatsu Ward, and the other four suspects have admitted to the charges.
Crowd of 3,000
The illicit enterprise unraveled after outraged local residents contacted the shrine with complaints of blatant gang activity. Witnesses reported seeing yakuza associates, decked out in traditional happi coats emblazoned with the syndicate’s crest, boldly riding atop the mikoshi (portable shrine).
The shrine immediately consulted the police, and the ensuing investigation brought the fraudulent food stalls to light.
The annual festival typically draws a crowd of about 3,000 visitors. Prefectural police say they are stepping up guidance for event organizers to strictly keep “anti-social forces” from infiltrating and profiting off local community gatherings.
