Inagawa Kai Member Arrested for Attempted Murder Shows Confidence During Prosecutor Transfer

The suspect, who attempted to run over multiple police officers with a car while fleeing, was a key figure in a two-year-old shooting murder case.

The shocking incident occurred on the morning of April 22 in Matsumoto-cho, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama. When investigators from the Saitama Prefectural Police attempted to conduct a search at his residence, the suspect, Tamura Satoshi (50), a high-ranking member of the Inagawa-kai crime syndicate, ran over at least three officers with his car and fled. He was arrested on charges of attempted murder and obstructing justice. On the afternoon of the 30th, he voluntarily turned himself in to the police station.

“At around 6:30 AM on the 22nd, when Saitama police officers asked to accompany the search, Tamura got into a car parked at his house and suddenly fled. The police issued a nationwide wanted notice on the 23rd for attempted murder and obstruction of justice,” reported a journalist from a national newspaper’s social section.

Attorney Haruki Nishiyama from Rei Law Firm, a former prosecutor with expertise in organized crime, explained the severity of the situation.

“Tamura faces three charges: attempted murder, obstruction of justice, and hit-and-run (violating the Road Traffic Act). He could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Since multiple police officers were injured, the sentence will depend on the severity of their injuries. However, since the officers’ injuries are reported to be minor, the sentence might range from four to five years. Given the suspect’s affiliation with the yakuza, the investigation will likely be conducted more rigorously.”

The Saitama Prefectural Police had been tracking him, but Tamura’s voluntary surrender at a police station in Kawasaki City ended his eight-day escape. However, Attorney Nishiyama said, “This was a deliberate hit-and-run to aid his escape, and even though he turned himself in, it’s unlikely that his remorse will be considered.”

 Things he wanted to do, even at the cost of a hit-and-run

The incident that led to this event was originally a police search warrant. The reason for the search was related to a gang-related shooting and murder case in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, in January 2023, where a 55-year-old man was shot and killed. The case is suspected to have been premeditated, as there were multiple gunshot wounds and the victim appeared to have been ambushed upon returning home.

At that time, the Saitama Prefectural Police set up a 75-person task force to investigate the case, but the perpetrator had not been apprehended. Among the people suspected to have crucial information related to the case was the arrested suspect, Tamura. What was the real purpose behind his escape? Legal expert Nishiyama offers a psychological interpretation of the crime:

“The 2023 shooting incident likely involved organized crime, and if Tamura were to be caught, he would be interrogated about this incident. Depending on the investigation, it could lead to further inquiries into others involved in that case. So, it’s possible that he fled to prepare for witness tampering—telling people to get their stories straight. Alternatively, he might have been trying to dispose of crucial evidence, such as the weapon used in the shooting.

If he had intended to turn himself in, he would not have run away. He should have complied with the search. The fact that he fled suggests that he was likely doing something during that time, and only after taking care of those matters did he come forward. If he truly wanted to escape, he would have continued running, but it’s likely that he disposed of evidence during his time on the run, and once that was done, he turned himself in.”

During his questioning, Tamura denied the charges, stating, “I did not do what the charges say I did.” On May 1, when he was sent for prosecution, Tamura was seen wearing sunglasses, with his legs crossed and leaning back into his seat. He appeared very calm and almost relaxed, which might indicate relief that he had managed to dispose of evidence during his period of escape.