Topic I - Countermeasures against Increasingly Heinous Boryokudan (Organized Crime Groups)

In light of the severe Boryokudan situation of recent years, police are tenaciously pressing ahead with measures against increasingly heinous Boryokudan to allow citizens to live in peace as soon as possible.

In recent years, the situation of Boryokudan is extremely severe, particularly in northern Kyushu, as there have been successive incidents involving the use of firearms and hand-grenades in attacking businesses and in turf wars. In addition, in April 2012, there was a shooting incident in which a former police officer who was engaged in criminal investigations related to Boryokudan was attacked.

In light of this severe situation, the police have mobilized all forces nationwide to promote measures to eliminate Boryokudan.

## (1) Recent Boryokudan Situation

1) Incidents of attacks on businesses, etc. that are considered Boryokudan related

Boryokudan are causing incidents of attacks on businesses that do not comply with their wishes to serve as reprisals or warnings. In 2011, there were 29 such incidents, considered Boryokudan related, and 21 in 2012, of which 78.0% were concentrated in Kyushu. Weapons such as firearms, hand-grenades and petrol bombs were used in many of these incidents, which include the fatal shooting of a construction company executive and a case where a hand-grenade was placed at the home of a gas company president. In addition, some of these incidents have occurred in residential areas, and pose a significant threat to the lives of citizens as well as businesses.

Furthermore, since August 2012, centering on Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka prefecture, there have been incidents of knife attacks on restaurant proprietors who have displayed “No Boryokudan members” signage on their premises, intimidation by phone, and arson attacks on elevators in buildings occupied by restaurants displaying similar signage.

Incidence of attacks on businesses, etc. involving the use of firearms, etc. in northern Kyushu (2011, 2012)

Case: In January 2012, in a residential area with an elementary school and a nursery school in the immediate vicinity, a gang boss (38) and associates affiliated with the Kudokai opened fire upon a construction company president, causing penetration injuries to his abdomen and right arm, requiring three months to full recovery. In December of the same year, this gang boss and associates were arrested under charges of attempted murder, etc. (Fukuoka)

## 2 ) Turf Wars

Since 2003 there has been a decreasing trend in the incidence of unlawful acts attributable to turf wars. However, in 2006, a dispute arose between the Dojinkai and the Kyushu Seidokai concerning the appointment of a successor, and this has yet to be resolved. There have been successive incidents attributable to this turf war involving unlawful acts such as the discharge of firearms. In 2007, there was an incident in which a male in-patient at a hospital in Takeo city, Saga prefecture, was tragically shot dead after being mistaken for an affiliate of the Kyushu Seidokai.

There were 13 unlawful acts attributable to this turf war in 2011 and 7 in 2012. These include incidents involving the discharge of firearms in residential areas, causing great anxiety among citizens.

Incidence of unlawful acts attributable to the turf warebetween the Dojinkai and the Kyushu Seidokai (2006-2012)