TOKYO (TR) – Eight members of the Sumiyoshi-kai, one of Japan’s largest organized crime syndicates, have been arrested for allegedly operating a gang office in direct violation of the capital’s anti-gang ordinances, reports Nippon News Network (Nov. 10).
According to Tokyo police, the group — led by senior members Kimio Kaneko and Naoya Ishimoto — is accused of running an office out of a building in Taito Ward between January and September of this year.
The location of the office puts the syndicate in clear violation of city regulations, which strictly forbid yakuza offices from operating within 200 meters of schools or other designated child-welfare facilities. The office was reportedly situated in the immediate vicinity of an elementary school.
Police launched a probe into the syndicate’s activities, which included a raid on the Sumiyoshi-kai headquarters.
Despite the evidence gathered by investigators, all eight suspects have either denied the allegations or remained silent regarding their involvement.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the extent of the group’s operations in the area.
