Akihabara Yakuza Leader Stabbing Case Exposes Distorted Courtroom Dynamics

The judgment of Sasaki Fumitoshi (37), who was accused of murder in the case where Yamanaka Kenji, a gang leader under the 6th Yamaguchi-gumi syndicate, was stabbed to death on the streets of Akihabara, Tokyo in 2022, was rendered on January 24 at the Tokyo District Court (Presiding Judge Jun Shimado).

According to the indictment, Sasaki allegedly fatally stabbed Yamana’s left abdomen with a 22-centimeter-long kitchen knife around 6:30 p.m. on July 21, 2022, on the streets of Akihabara. On the day of the incident, Sasaki and Yamana went to a coffee shop, and after leaving the shop, Sasaki stabbed Yamana from behind with the kitchen knife he had for self-defense, and immediately surrendered to the Manseibashi Police Station near the scene. During the interrogation, Sasaki admitted to being extorted for a large amount of money by Yamana, which was considered the motive for the crime.

“I wanted to end it all.”

The wound reached a depth of 23 centimeters, indicating strong murderous intent. There was a monetary dispute over mikajime-ryo (an extortion payment) between Sasaki, who ran a consultancy business for cabarets and girls’ bars, and Yamana, which led to the crime being committed under pressure.

Regarding Sasaki’s statement that he was being threatened by Yamanaka, Yamanaka’s wife stated in the December 2022 issue of Weekly Woman Prime.

“Sasaki, the defendant, was a close aide and a close friend of my husband.”

She countered, stating there was a close relationship between our families, and even shared family photos with both my husband and Sasaki, the defendant.

“I cannot forgive Sasaki, who is trying to lighten his own guilt by lying about being threatened by my husband.”

The trial focused on the true nature of Sasaki’s actions, with conflicting claims from both sides: whether it was a relationship of fear and subservience or that of a boss and his close aide. Both parties presented their arguments in direct opposition to each other.

At the time of his arrest, Sasaki had short-cropped hair, thin eyebrows, and a sturdy build, giving off a tough impression with his tanned skin. However, when he appeared in court, Sasaki had noticeably lost weight, wearing loose-fitting sweatpants and sporting a shaved head, presenting a feeble appearance. His pale face showed no expression as he responded in a hoarse voice during the opening statement, confirming the charges against him without hesitation. He then went on to describe the days of fear and intimidation he endured at the hands of Yamana, the details of which were revealed during the trial.

Sasaki is a former researcher with a medical degree

“This is my Pokémon. He’ll do anything I tell him to do.”

Yamanaka spoke to those around him about Sasaki, mentioning how he accompanied him daily, almost like a wallet. The money Sasaki gave him disappeared into Yamanaka’s living expenses, entertainment expenses, and the operating costs of the gang’s office. Despite their current circumstances, the two were once friends.

“Sasaki, the defendant, was attending graduate school in a medical field while working as a researcher. However, his life took a turn for the worse in 2012 when his younger brother committed suicide. Overwhelmed by guilt for not being able to save his brother, Sasaki quit graduate school and his research position.

Thinking of his brother, who loved drinking, Sasaki began to frequent drinking establishments more often. It was around 2013 that he happened to meet Yamanaka as a customer at an izakaya. Because Yamanaka was the same age as his brother, Sasaki felt that his brother had somehow brought them together, and they became friends.” (As reported by a journalist who attended the trial)

 

“After his release, it seems Yamanaka’s attitude changed drastically. He resumed his activities in the underworld. Upon visiting the cabaret club managed by Sasaki, he demanded payment of 800,000 yen for the protection fee during Sasaki’s absence. When refused, he allegedly subjected Sasaki to violence, including punches and kicks. Furthermore,

‘If you snitch to the cops, I’ll make your old man and old lady disappear within 48 hours.’ ‘I’ll make your wife go around in front of you before killing her.’ ‘I’ll be the first man for your daughter.’

He continued to make threats. After Sasaki sent a gift to the prison with his home address written on it, Yamanaka threatened to harm his parents who lived there, sending photos of their house. Sasaki, who has a wife and young daughter, felt he had no choice but to comply.”

The demand for money escalated day by day, and when Sasaki claimed he had no more money, he was ordered to extract money from his parents and wife. Sasaki lied about the lack of funds for operating the club, borrowing a total of 120 million yen from his mother and wife, with 24 million yen from his mother and 11 million yen from his wife, as revealed in court.

Communication was conducted through the highly secure app Signal, and he was prevented from seeking help from the police by regularly checking his phone for any recordings of their conversations. He contemplated suicide but reconsidered, recalling his duty as the chief mourner at his brother’s funeral and realizing he couldn’t show his parents another son’s dead body. These were the mentally distressing days he described.

On the other hand, during the witness interrogation, Mrs. Yamanaka, who appeared in court, talked about the financial transactions.

“The defendant Sasaki and my husband were business partners.”

She asserts. It’s also said that even members of the criminal organization referred to Sasaki as the president.

“They were always together. He was my husband’s closest friend. It felt like he was number two within the organization,” she claimed.

She also claimed that the family relationship was not good and asserted that the personality of the defendant, Sasaki, was violent.

“I want him to die right away, but I also want him to be in prison for as long as possible.”

He vehemently expressed, “I want to punch her in the stomach,” in response to the testimony of Mr. Yamanaka’s wife. Defendant Sasaki admitted to having made such a statement.

“I made that statement because it would be seen as a weakness if I were to say that I care about my wife,” he said.

He mentioned that the reason for the divorce was that he was already estranged from his wife. As for being referred to as the president, he explained that it was because he was being used as a substitute for Mr. Yamanaka’s wallet. He claimed that the money he provided was also used for Mr. Yamanaka’s expenses in cabarets and adult entertainment establishments.

“It was tough to see my father’s hard-earned money, earned over 40 years as a teacher, being spent like water right in front of me.”

 

The defendant Sasaki, in the end, managed to squeeze out those words. Ultimately, with both parties’ claims not intersecting, the verdict rendered was a seven-year prison sentence.

“I was demanded a large sum of money, faced financial difficulties, felt severe despair, and impulsively committed the crime.”

The judge recognized the mitigating circumstances of Sasaki’s situation.

“Sasaki, remember this, you!”

The courtroom echoed with the angry cries of Mr. Yamanaka’s wife, who was not satisfied with the verdict, as Sasaki, the defendant, left the courtroom. Amidst the fear of threats and the emotions of the bereaved family. In the courtroom, there remained an overwhelming sense of uncertainty, leaving only questions about the true nature of the relationship between the two.