crime

Police round up teen gang members, make them form sports team

27 Comments
By Casey Baseel

Police in Tokyo are forcing members from two rival, frequently rumbling gangs to get along by forming a sports team together.

The two gangs have been feuding since roughly two years ago, and last August, decided that it was time to settle the score. To make things as dramatic as possible, a total of 29 teens gathered at a shrine in Tokyo’s Fuchu City, and their intention wasn’t to quietly pray and peacefully work out their differences, as evidenced by the fact that one side showed up with metal baseball bats.

Noticing they’d brought their knuckles to a bat fight, the unarmed side fled before the brawl could start in earnest. The police eventually picked up the leaders of the two gangs, plus one other member, before filing reports on the three with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

As minors, though, and since no violence actually occurred, locking both groups up until they’re too old and weak to physically hurt each other wasn’t an option. Still, the police realized something had to be done before tensions and tempers boiled over again, and came up with a unique plan.

Whereas one gang had seen the other carrying bats, police apparently thought that since the kids already have half the equipment they need, they might play some softball.

Since the goal is for the two groups to learn to get along with each other, the gangs won’t be playing against each other. Instead, they’ll be formed into one large team that will face off against a squad of police officers in a game later this month.

The police say they hope this will not only lead to the youths letting bygones be bygones, but hopefully will also lead to the dissolution of the two gangs themselves. Cynics may argue it’s unlikely that both of those will happen, since losing might lead to finger-pointing and squabbling among teammates, and winning may just make them realize that if they join forces, even the police won’t be able to stop them.

Source: NHK via Jin

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Man sues police after being locked in with a member of yakuza group he was trying to leave -- Himeji City preparing to crack down on nuisance “walking biker gangs” (Yes, you read that right) -- Two boys beaten and robbed of puffy pants, Osaka slammed for being trapped in the past

© RocketNews24

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27 Comments
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Kudos to whoever thought of this. I'm very hopeful that this is a start of turning extra time and extra energy to good cause. Who knows they'll discover another Ichiro San. I'm praying hard for this one.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Great idea!...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

H'mmm not so sure

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

a rare great article to read under the crime section

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Wow! I can say I'm impressed by the cops. Really good on them for coming up with this idea.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why do I smell a cheesy feel-good movie being made out of this?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

All that I see happening is that the pitcher will be aiming for the batter's face, the basemen will be giving a few good kicks as the runner tries to slide into base, and these kids will come up with a hundred other ways to hurt each other while playing.

Even kids that DON'T hate each other will make a strategic foul to hurt a strong opposing player. These kids already hate each other, so the referees better outnumber the players 2:1.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Sort of reminds me of the The Longest Yard (1974) movie.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan making Anime thing a reality! I thought this only happens in an anime scene but now it's for real! Wow!!!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I don't think this will end well...

1 ( +4 / -4 )

I'm a staunch critic of the Japanese police but I cannot knock them for coming up with this and kudos for the out-of-the-box approach. I do wish they would televise it live or I could attend it in person as things might end up turning out like a prison-guard vs. convict football game with a lot of scars and broken limbs when alls said and done..

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"Why do I smell a cheesy feel-good movie being made out of this?"

Because the event and the riot has yet to happen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Bad News Bears, come to mind.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Maybe a good round of dodge ball to blow off some steam.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I would love to see a cheesy movie made out of this . Starring kimura takuya and Abe hiroshi :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It sound quit a good idea, I feel that they have a common interest, they hate the coppers, so is this a good opportunity to team up and have a go at the coppers? time will tell !!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Somebody in the police force is a fan of the movie, "The Longest Yard".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@jumpultimatestars

Why do I smell a cheesy feel-good movie being made out of this?

No doubt with a cast full of Johnny's Jimusho members...

Great news nonetheless! :)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I would have preferred a different sport (soccer, basketball, wrestling, boxing), but it's best if they're kicking each others teeth in on a field with some rules rather than in a courtyard with no rules.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

They should play Italian footbal mma Calcio Storico.

The one where you have to litteraly bash people with the ball and team mates have to defend.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A bench clearing brawl may be on the cards in this one. Too bad they weren't playing ice hockey where it seems to be part and parcel to just beat the crap out of the other guy opposite until one hits the ice.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is in fact, a touching story even if it diesn't appear so at face value. A tribute to the greatness of sport, any sport. It can do a lot of good. Drive the hatred right out of their heads. When you play together (even if against), you submit to the spirit of that sport and then, the pursual of healthy competition in general life can only but set in. You can only come out of it wiser.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Interesting story, one that I personally would like to witness for myself and support watching the game in person if I knew where, when and time of this game. Very interesting concept to see what develops.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Always nice when the police department looks to improve the gang's proficiency with club weapons.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is sort of like Boys Town

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I can volunteer my services as a boxing sparring partner and lay an a*s whooping on each teen who's got the balls to step into the ring with me! Fun all around!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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