Yakuza Gang Members Cause Bloody Brawl in Fast-Food Restaurant Amid Families

Negotiations over turf failed

A fast-food restaurant bustling with families, elderly people, and students on a weekday evening became the scene of a brazen brawl between intimidating men who were completely out of place in the atmosphere of the shop.

In early May, seven men—including Ri Shōhō (55), an executive of the Gontakai faction under the Nouchi-gumi affiliated with the 3rd Kodo-kai of the 6th Yamaguchi-gumi designated organized crime group, and Tei Eigō (50), another executive of the same group—were arrested by the Osaka Prefectural Police on charges of assault after causing a brawl at a fast-food restaurant in Osaka City.

“The assault occurred around 4:30 p.m. on February 10 this year inside the McDonald’s Suminoe Park Station Front store in Suminoe Ward, Osaka City. The suspects allegedly punched former gang member and real estate businessman Ryō Jinshō (61) and his younger brother Yoshihiro (56) multiple times in the face, causing minor injuries. Incidentally, Ryō and others have also been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder against Ri and others,” said a reporter from the social affairs section of a national newspaper.

The brawl, involving gang members, resulted in a total of nine arrests. What exactly happened?

“At first, Ri, Tei, and Ryō Jinshō were discussing the gang’s business at a table. However, Ryō Jinshō was aggressive throughout, and Ri and the others refused to listen to him at all, causing negotiations to quickly break down. Then Ri suddenly threw a right straight punch to Ryō Jinshō’s face.

Ryō Jinshō tried to fight back but was restrained by Tei with a headlock while receiving headbutts and punches, leaving him on the defensive. Still, he managed to grab Ri by the collar and knock him down. The whole incident lasted less than a minute but was violent enough to leave bloodstains on the floor,” said an investigator.

The brawl did not end there. Five Gontakai members waiting outside the McDonald’s joined the fight and beat Ryō Jinshō mercilessly.

At that critical moment, Ryō’s younger brother Yoshihiro appeared in a car and charged at seven Gontakai members. Taking advantage of their hesitation, he helped his brother into the car, ran over the Gontakai members who confronted them, and sped away at high speed.

“Ryō Jinshō had just been released from prison and was trying to reclaim the turf that Gontakai had taken during his incarceration. While Gontakai did come to the negotiating table, they never intended to return the turf they had acquired. When Ryō Jinshō demanded, ‘That’s mine!’ and ‘Give it back!’ Ri became enraged, and the brawl broke out. Because the 6th Yamaguchi-gumi is a designated organized crime group, they were not allowed to use gang offices or facilities for the meeting, so they chose McDonald’s instead,” explained the investigator.

For ordinary citizens, it can only be described as a nuisance.