10 Arrested in Major Bust: Z Lee’s Re-Arrest and Tokuryu Links

He was arrested for the second time in just one month.

On December 4, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Organized Crime Division re-arrested Masaki Tanaki (43), the suspect believed to be the leader of the outlaw influencer group “Z Lee,” on charges of trespassing and violent acts against security personnel in an attack on a club in Shibuya. Along with Tanaki, famous rapper “Ricky Daddy Dirty,” also known as Shimoda Mutoaritsuki (36), and a total of 10 individuals were arrested in what became a major bust.

“Tanaki had already been arrested on November 14 for a separate case involving a residential burglary in Edogawa Ward from 2022. This arrest is related to an incident that occurred in December 2023. Tanaki, along with Shimoda and others, reportedly attacked a rapper’s live event at ‘Namidaruma’ in Shibuya, and four of them are suspected of assaulting a security guard” (investigative sources).

As our photographer followed Tanaki for his transfer, he completely lowered his head inside the police van. Perhaps because he despised being seen, he refused to get out of the van in front of the press. Ultimately, the van entered the police station’s underground. On the other hand, Shimoda glanced at the photographer and flashed a grin, showing his white teeth, then ran off from the press with a defiant expression.

 

The visible seriousness of the police.

Z Lee, also known as Tanaki, was arrested for the second time. How will the investigation proceed from here?

“The 2022 burglary charge has already resulted in a simplified indictment with a fine of 100,000 yen. Normally, he would have been released, but at that time, authorities made a separate arrest. They likely see his involvement with the growing number of ‘Tokuryu’ (anonymous, fluid criminal groups) nationwide as the reason for this.

With the recent arrest of 10 individuals, the total number of those arrested in the ‘Z Lee Incident,’ including previous arrests, now stands at 13. The way they change members depending on the case is very similar to Tokuryu. Given that they are using the same methods, authorities strongly believe that Z Lee is connected to Tokuryu. They are investigating how Z Lee gathers people and what organizations they are connected to. They believe that by fully investigating Z Lee, they can uncover the crimes committed by Tokuryu” (reporter from a national newspaper’s social department).

This time, more than 10 police stations, led by Shibuya Police Station, have formed a joint investigation team. Over 30 investigators were mobilized for this month’s arrests, clearly indicating that the Metropolitan Police Department considers Z Lee to be a key figure in Tokuryu-related crimes.

“At the scene, one unidentified suspect was confirmed. Authorities are now working on identifying this individual. At the same time, investigations into connections with other organizations are ongoing, with further questioning of Tanaki” (investigative source).

It is hoped that this re-arrest will serve as a catalyst to prevent future Tokuryu crimes.