The Great Japanese Gang Wars

Over the years, the Japanese government responded to the gang wars in Kyushu by harsh revisions of the organized crime laws and sending detectives from all over Japan to assist local law enforcement. According to statements by the National Police Agency, “The revisions strengthened the regulation on designated (yakuza) groups attacking people with firearms and other weapons or engaged in turf wars, and also strengthened penalties.” In December of last year, both groups were designated “Special Warring Designated Organized Crime Groups” and shut out of their offices. If five of more of their members are found together, they can all be arrested. Both groups have been designated and regulated under these laws, a total of three times now. The dissolution of the Seido-kai came right before the most recent renewal of their “restricted” status and the Fukuoka Police announced after their meeting with the gang bosses: “It is possible that the proclamation of a truce and the dissolution announcement are simply an attempt to evade the crackdowns and restrictions placed on specially designated groups.”