Despite JP Dragon Leader’s Arrest Japanese Crime Syndicates Still Active in Philippine Underworld
Latest Underground Report Part 1
A mastermind of the underworld
“Yoshioka” Has Been Caught—A Shock to the Japanese Underworld in Manila
Anyone familiar with the Philippine capital of Manila would have been shocked to hear the news: “Yoshioka” has been caught. For more than 20 years, Yoshioka had operated as a shadowy figure in the local underworld.
On June 4, in a resort facility in Angeles City, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Ryuji Yoshioka, the alleged leader of the Japanese crime group “JP Dragon,” celebrated his 55th birthday. Surrounded by family at a lively party, the celebration was suddenly interrupted when several immigration agents stormed in.
“Sorry to interrupt at this hour. Please have the children step out.”
In April 2023, a special fraud case occurred in Japan in which the perpetrator posed as a police officer over the phone to steal a cash card. Yoshioka was suspected of orchestrating the crime and had a warrant issued by the Fukuoka Prefectural Police for theft.
According to Japan’s National Police Agency, there were approximately 21,000 cases of special fraud in 2023, about 2,000 more than the previous year. The total amount of damages surged by roughly 26.6 billion yen to 71.9 billion yen—both the highest figures in the past decade.
One recent high-profile incident originating in the Philippines was the string of robberies exposed in January 2023. From an immigration detention facility in Manila, figures using codenames such as “Luffy” gave instructions to accomplices inside Japan via messaging apps to carry out violent robberies. It is believed that JP Dragon, led by Yoshioka, was secretly supporting this so-called “Luffy Robbery Gang.”
An official from the Bureau of Immigration involved in Yoshioka’s arrest shared:
“We had been monitoring JP Dragon due to suspected ties with the Luffy group. Yoshioka had lived in the Philippines for many years, was fluent in Tagalog, and had connections within the police and other law enforcement agencies. Although the operation required caution, there was no resistance during his apprehension.”
Three years ago, Yoshioka appeared as a guest on a YouTube channel hosted by a famous Filipino comedian. In the interview, he explained the origin of his group’s name:
“J stands for Japan, P for Philippines. The ‘Dragon’ comes from my name, Ryu (meaning dragon in Japanese). I’ve been living in the Philippines for over 20 years. I’m in the cockfighting business and also run several Japanese restaurants.”
He spoke fluent Tagalog. The video was apparently filmed at his home, which showcased expensive vases, antiques, and a collection of luxury-brand shoes. Seated beside Yoshioka were his two sons and a man identified as “Y,” a 56-year-old from Fukuoka Prefecture believed to be the number two in JP Dragon. The group’s number three, Tomohiro Koyama (51), was apprehended in Manila in January of last year and deported to Japan. He was charged with theft for his involvement in special fraud and admitted to the charges during the first trial session at the Tokyo District Court in mid-May. His trial is ongoing.
(Note: Honorifics have been omitted in parts of the article.)
Takehide Mizutani
Born in 1975 in Mie Prefecture. Winner of the 9th Kaikō Takeshi Nonfiction Award for “The Men Who Abandoned Japan: Impoverished Japanese Living in the Philippines.” After working as a reporter for the Daily Manila Shimbun, he has conducted reporting around the world, including on the war in Ukraine.
From “FRIDAY”, July 11, 2025 issue
Reporting and writing： Takehide Mizutani (Nonfiction writer)
