crime

Yakuza cancel Halloween trick-or-treat event for kids

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Well, Halloween could be the one day of the year that the Yakuza walk the streets without having to buy a costume!

Feel sorry for the kids though, I hope they find a different way to deliver the goodies!

3 ( +9 / -6 )

This fascination with gangs and tattoos still amazes me about Japan. Also, it seems to me that with the strict gun laws in Japan that people keep wishing the USA would adopt, why are the gangsters worried about a rival gang doing a drive-by? If those guys are supposed to have a "code" I would think that they would have enough sense not to drive by and shoot up or start a "rumble" at an event for innocent children. If they can't control themselves, and the police know who they are, I think it is time to start rolling them up.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Japan’s yakuza used to host a variety of community events, such as summer festivals

Interesting.

I had always realized that the yakuza were heavily involved in most of the community festivals and other events that I attend, which is evident by all the chinpira (small-time yakuza) manning food stalls and taking care of other duties — but what I didn't know is that the yakuza actually act as primary hosts to some of these activities and actually make the decision on whether or not to cancel them.

Good community PR for them I suppose, and probably a means of grooming local youngsters for future yakuza careers.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Catch 'em young? Disgusting.

What about much-touted campaigns not to get involved with Yaks?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

why are the gangsters worried about a rival gang doing a drive-by?

@Alphaape

The threat of children becoming collateral damage in gang warfare is a valid concern. Cancelling the event was definitely a responsible choice given that there is plenty of precedent where gang warfare among rival yakuza factions gets out of hand.

Here is one example involving the May 2006 war between the Dojin-kai and the Kyushu Seido-kai: "In one incident, a gangster walked into a hospital and shot an innocent man twice, mistaking him for a rival. In another, the Dojin-kai's headquarters was sprayed with AK-47 fire. More than five Dojin offices in Kurume and Fukuoka were attacked with bombs and firearms on May 21 of that year, and soon after that, on 24th, Seido-kai's Jinsei group headquarters office in Chikugo was totally destroyed, apparently by Dojin-kai's bombs." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dojin-kai#War_on_the_Seido-kai

6 ( +8 / -2 )

@Yubaru: how people label persons who were born on Halloween? pumpkin or candy?

Only one day but they must be thinking kids to have happy day.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

SensatoOCT. 23, 2015 - 08:06AM JST The threat of children becoming collateral damage in gang warfare is a valid concern. Cancelling the event was definitely a responsible choice given that there is plenty of precedent where gang warfare among rival yakuza factions gets out of hand.

Not one of the examples you site describes attacks that indiscriminately target non-yakuza. Deciding to attack a group holding a Halloween event for the public would be like rival tekiya going after each other at a matsuri. Wouldn't happen.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

WTF, if I was a parent I wouldn't let my kids go to ANY event

RUN

by yakuza!

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Good chance to force them to stop all their social events- all the BS designed to ingratiate themselves with Japanese society- fake samarai without an ounce of honour.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Why would parents let their children goto such events?

7 ( +10 / -3 )

I'd rather not see Yakuza anywhere near children.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

"Grovelling"?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I live in Japan now but I come from Baltimore Md. The gangs where I am from hold their initiations on halloween night because it is easy to stab someone and walk away because everyones wearing costumes and if you have blood on you its halloween right, its probably not real.... Also children in Japan are so oblivious to the world around them. They are brought up with out a sense of danger.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I live in Japan now but I come from Baltimore Md. The gangs where I am from hold their initiations on halloween night because it is easy to stab someone and walk away because everyones wearing costumes and if you have blood on you its halloween right, its probably not real.... Also children in Japan are so oblivious to the world around them. They are brought up with out a sense of danger.

Which is one thing about Japan that I hope they never, ever, copy from America....teaching children...about danger.

That is one import I hope never gets here.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The media shouldn't even report garbage like this. It almost seems as if perpetuating the Yakuza is part of the agenda

1 ( +2 / -1 )

They must be giving something more than candy if people actually attend.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So the yaks control Halloween? Pffft! Gimme a break! The parents should just do Halloween like other countries. Take your kids and go around the neighborhood knocking on doors! It's not hard!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

A local crime boss used to live just up the street from me (here in Western Tokyo). His house would be best described as a compound (complete with a couple of apartment blocks for his young underlings). Anyway, the old guy was an old school thug, and rather interesting to talk to. Told great stories about the 50s and 60s in Japan. Despite being a rather unsavory character, however, he was the Vice President of the PTA at the local elementary school, his goons also used to patrol the streets in the mornings and afternoons to keep the school kids safe, his front yard was also a regular stopping point for the local festival, and we never had to worry about buglaries in the neighborhood. Indeed, the local community has gone down hill since the old fella died.

Furthermore, talking about the Yamaguchi Gumi down in Kobe, while the Japanese government was twiddling its thumbs in indecision after the Great Hanshin Earthquake, it was the Yamaguchi Gumi who opened up the doors to the headquarters and dolled out tons of food and offered shelter to the masses. Admittedly, these thugs are some rather unsavory characters, however, people should realize that they sometimes do have a soft and cuddly side.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Is this kind of event hosted by anti-society syndicates in other countries? It's weird....

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The group from the western city of Kobe traditionally holds a variety of community events

Good PR from yaks. . . but I agree with Dan Lewis. Moms can get together, pitch-in and buy Halloween candy for the kids. Halloween themed candy is sold everywhere right now. It's not hard.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Why on earth would parents let their kids go accept candy from criminals?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The irony. The organization responsible for a lot of crimes in the country takes a responsible decision re safety of children and ordinary citizens. I have to give them that. But then, I have also heard stories about the Yakuza being the first to respond with food and blanket supplies after the Hanshin earthquake. Ironic as it is, they have certainly worked well to secure the tolerance of the local communities.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The parents should just do Halloween like other countries. Take your kids and go around the neighborhood knocking on doors! It's not hard!

It is a lot harder than you think. From my observations having lived in Japan for 15 years, if your neighbors don't know your "family" there is less of a chance that they will speak to you, let alone offer to give treats to kids unless it is at some type of Obon event where the community is involved. The act of going to a neighborhood house and trick or treating is a foreign concept. Go to the main gates at any of the bases in Japan on Halloween night, and you will see long lines of Japanese nationals waiting to get escorted in with costumed children that will go trick or treating at the base houses. These are total strangers to them, yet they would find it easier to do it that way than actually have to speak or interact with their Japanese neighbors.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I think what many of you are missing is that the Yamaguchi are not all bad. Ask anyone who was around during the Hanshin earthquake who got water, blankets and so on for the community . It sure as hell was not the local or national government. Yaks aren't illegal and play a huge role in their community with festivals and the like. Yes, their jobs are often based on scummy things but are they really worse than say, TEPCO? Frankly, I'd rather a high level yak living next to me than a high ranking yes man from TEPCO and the like.

Plus, who are their customers? Local folks. If you want to look at the trade of women, drugs... They're supplying these things to the local Taro who gets off scot free while the girls get arrested.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think that the article is a bit too charitable in its interpretation of the motives. It seems more likely that they would be scared of being gutted by a member of the splinter group dressed as a mother, accompanied by a dwarf.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@yubaru,I always find it very endearing to see Jkids studying English, holding English books. Times like this, I practice my English too and talk by asking what's your name? I refrain from doing so when I met an elementary school age boy and received an answer with a big no when asked about his name. So I doubt that fear isn't instill into them . Just maybe the range of fear being instilled is different.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Children should be taught about danger as soon as possible, because it is a very real part of the world no matter where you live, even in Japan.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@ Yogi Zuna..teaching about "danger" and common sense are two very different things. There is no need to teach about gangland wars, drive-by shootings, drug dealers, or the like.

Teaching awareness and be conscious of their surroundings is different, and that goes for anywhere. Learning about danger is not a natural part of the growing process, or at least shouldn't be.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Not every state in USA is like Maryland. A Mafia Casino owner donated buildings to create UN Las Vegas. He received Humanitalian of Year Awars from American Cancer Society.Some groups try to have 2% Sales rax initiarive claiming we don'f have Mafia anymore.Gaming tax take care of state budget. No income or corporation tax

2 ( +2 / -0 )

AlphaapeOct. 23, 2015 - 07:31AM JST This fascination with gangs and tattoos still amazes me about Japan. Also, it seems to me that with the strict gun laws in Japan that people keep wishing the USA would adopt, why are the gangsters worried about a rival gang doing a drive-by? If those guys are supposed to have a "code" I would think that they would have enough sense not to drive by and shoot up or start a "rumble" at an event for innocent children. If they can't control themselves, and the police know who they are, I think it is time to start rolling them up.

They're not doing it out of the good of their hearts, it's just PR. Apparently it doesn't work as well as it used to so they cancel it and make up a plausible, good hearted reason and disseminate through their contacts. Obviously no one would attack a huge event with children, the consequences would be incredible.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Let's see...

shoplifting, muggings, credit fraud, blackmail, extortion, drug dispensing, prostitution and sex industry services, gambling and hitting up local shops for protection money, getting contracts to clean up Fukushima using the homeless, they provide a service for the public but then attack them for not making payments on high interest loans...

Oh, yeah, and they murder, sell illegal firearms, and are involved in human trafficking.

But no, please tell me about their soft and cuddly side.

What planet are we on where children should be allowed anywhere near men who sell women like property to overseas buyers and murder people? And how are these criminals allowed to be anywhere near children?

This is insane. People are talking about their charity work and funny stories as if that makes up for their selling of drugs and murder! NO, it doesn't. Have a thousand halloween parties, doesn't make up for all the horror and pain they've caused.

There is no way in the world I want my child to be handed anything by a man who could have just killed someone, sold drugs, or sold a doped up girl.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Poor kids

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@harvey pekarOCT. 23, 2015 - 01:53PM JST

There is no way in the world I want my child to be handed anything by a man c

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

I think you should move out Japan.

shoplifting, muggings, credit fraud, blackmail, extortion, drug dispensing, prostitution and sex industry services, gambling and hitting up local shops for protection money, getting contracts to clean up Fukushima using the homeless, they provide a service for the public but then attack them for not making payments on high interest loans...

Oh, yeah, and they murder, sell illegal firearms, and are involved in human trafficking.

But no, please tell me about their soft and cuddly side.

What planet are we on where children should be allowed anywhere near men who sell women like property to overseas buyers and murder people? And how are these criminals allowed to be anywhere near children?

This is insane. People are talking about their charity work and funny stories as if that makes up for their selling of drugs and murder! NO, it doesn't. Have a thousand halloween parties, doesn't make up for all the horror and pain they've caused.

There is no way in the world I want my child to be handed anything by a man who could have just killed someone, sold drugs, or sold a doped up girl

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

i don't lknow about business you mentioned but every city every village, yakuza group exist in Japan operating THEIR TRADITIONAL GAMBLING BUSINESS AND ALSO Many own pachinko parlors in Japan. Best is to move out from Japan because you never know who is yakuza. Maybe middle east or N Korea? There is no yak there. Not SE Asia. Triad will bother you.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

shoplifting, muggings, credit fraud, blackmail, extortion, drug dispensing, prostitution and sex industry services, gambling and hitting up local shops for protection money, getting contracts to clean up Fukushima using the homeless, they provide a service for the public but then attack them for not making payments on high interest loans...

And this is different from the government how??

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Hi, @toshiko,

Thanks for the advice.

You're right, why hold murderers, drug dealers, and human traffickers accountable for what they do when it's easier to tell everyone who thinks this is wrong to just leave our country, because we're fine with the Yakuza and what they do and we don't care.... Mainly because ignorance is bliss.

People think it's cool to say, almost as a cliche, that Yakuza probably own this place, that food stall is Yakuza run, yeah, my neighbor is Yakuza, as if they think they're tough for saying it, like it's no big deal to them.

I don't know what you think you know about Yakuza or any organized crime syndicate, but, man, for every harmless business they run or charitable act they do, lives of ordinary people are ruined or innocent people are murdered, abused, raped because the illegal things the Yakuza do has a massive ripple effect across the lives of many.

Maybe instead of running or being ignorant like your advice, the communities should demand their government take control.

All you see are candy giveaways and shiny pachinko lights, not the blood behind it.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

So if it's Yakuza, instead of blood money, it's blood candy

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yakuza get married and have kids too. Maybe their own kids are the main participants. The kids go to the same schools etc as everyone else.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

A gangster trick-or-treat? If they don't like your trick do you get treated to a beat down?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why in the world are the kids allowed to hang out with the Yakuza in the first place?!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is Kobe. Their uncle or father might have a job in port under Ygumi job recruitter Tehaishi i

Fukushima? J Govt is always slow in helping vicrims. So, oyabun Taoka ordered OdaHide to make kobuns who have large trucks to load food and necessity inclufing futons and dipers to bring to Fukushima and it eorked. Prople were not hungry as trucks went there constantly every day.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This is recruiting at its best! Why don't they do "drive by" candy drops at every home? ...incognito. Why should the kids and parents come to them? Why would they be allowed to sponsor a community event, "Robbing Hoods?" Where's Elliot Ness and the Untouchables in this case?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

those yakuzas have honor, no parent would want his kids to see someone killed three times before touching the floor..

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@ojiiu812badboyOCT. 23, 2015 - 10:33PM JST Where's Elliot Ness and the Untouchables in this case?

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''j

Not old old prophinition era used US TV fiction program but there are video programs in japan

Soshiki Boryoku, Nippon BoryokuChiTai, fpr instance. There is even tekiya Stories in Video.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

toshikoOCT. 23, 2015 - 01:31PM JST Not every state in USA is like Maryland. A Mafia Casino owner donated buildings to create UN Las Vegas. He received Humanitalian of Year Awars from American Cancer Society.Some groups try to have 2% Sales rax initiarive claiming we don'f have Mafia anymore.Gaming tax take care of state budget. No income or corporation tax

Not a single thing you've written makes any sense. "A Mafic Casino owner donated buildings to create the UN Las Vegas"? There's a UN outpost in Vegas? Really? How are sales tax and Mafia connected? Gaming tax take(s) care of state budget? Where?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Jeff: NV where I live. Moe Dalitz was the one I was writing Actually Gaming Tax is Tax on income from gambling business. It is huge.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Won't someone think of the children?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@5Speed: They thought of children in case other Y groups come to attack them so they decided to quit. Other yakuza groups avoid to attack when none yakuzas are near. Tradition of Y is that they kill people without checking. When Y wanted to expand to Hiroshima, a coupe went to kill members of Hiroshima area Yaku then a couple Yakuza lovers were coming down and they were killed. They were not yakuza (Katagi no hito). Kobun of Yamaken did. When Peace treaty ceremony Y requested, unlike after Kyushu war, no one wanted to become Y Koken Nin. All yakuza groups sided with MatsudaGumi. So, YamanuraGumi Oyabun of Kure declared they are not yakuzas and Y was ostracized enabling cracking down.

Drive by shooting - They don't do. Why? Killers brag to get rank respect in Y organization

killers brag Ore ga Yattanda.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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