Expert Analysis: Arrest of a Yakuza Successor Candidate Over Alleged Use of Illegally Purchased Vehicle—What’s Behind It

A major yakuza figure arrested for a minor offense

At 8:00 a.m. on April 8, in front of Katsushika Police Station in Tokyo, a senior man walked toward a transport vehicle surrounded by several police officers. He briefly glanced toward the cameras, but showed no particular reaction and continued walking. The man is a prominent figure within the designated crime syndicate Sumiyoshi-kai, even considered a next chairman candidate.

“On April 7, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest of Hideki Kojima (75), a senior member of the Sumiyoshi-kai, and another man on suspicion of violating the Organized Crime Punishment Act (receiving criminal proceeds). The two are suspected of using a Toyota Alphard that had been purchased under a false identity by a 54-year-old man affiliated with the group (already arrested for fraud), despite knowing it had been obtained illegally.

Kojima is the chairman of the Keio-kai, a secondary organization under the Sumiyoshi-kai. The vehicle was referred to as the chairman’s official car and used for transportation. Kojima denies the charges, stating, ‘I do not know how it was obtained,’” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs desk.

By 2011, prefectural ordinances banning organized crime groups had been enacted nationwide, introducing measures such as prohibition of profit provision, exclusion from public works and facilities, and restrictions on establishing and operating offices. As a result, even purchasing vehicles under a member’s own name became considered illegal benefit provision.

The Sumiyoshi-kai has recently seen a series of arrests: members of its secondary group, the Kōhei-ikka, were repeatedly arrested between March and early this month on charges including attempted extortion, confinement, and robbery causing injury. These cases are believed to be related to investigations into “Tokuryū” (anonymous/atypical crime groups).

In this context, was the arrest of a senior Sumiyoshi-kai figure on what appears to be a minor offense merely coincidental—or something more deliberate?

Also linked to other cases?

According to the article, the current head of the Sumiyoshi-kai is Shuji Ogawa, but the de facto number one is said to be Katsuto Kato (78), the boss of the Kōhei-ikka, with Kojima—who was arrested—positioned just below him in importance within the Keio-kai faction.

It is said that Kojima had significant influence over personnel decisions within the Sumiyoshi-kai itself, and that even succession matters were sometimes decided by his word alone.

While arrests of gang members for relatively small violations—such as using cars or playing golf under another person’s name—do occur, they are often not publicly emphasized when the cases are minor. However, recent police efforts appear to be unusually thorough in publicizing actions against the Sumiyoshi-kai and the Kōhei-ikka. In that sense, arresting someone of Kojima’s stature is seen as a major show of force for the police.

A journalist specializing in the underworld, Yukio Ishihara, notes that the arrest may also be connected to broader investigations:

“It is related to the police task force established to combat Tokuryū-style crimes, which specifically targeted the Kōhei-ikka. The Sumiyoshi-kai has long-standing ties with former Kanto-based groups and has a history of involvement with Tokuryū-type operations. This may be part of a larger investigative flow focusing first on the Kōhei-ikka and then the Sumiyoshi-kai as a whole.”

He also suggests the arrest could be linked to another case:

“One possibility is the armed cash robbery that occurred in Ueno (Taito Ward, Tokyo) in January, where 420 million yen was stolen. In March, members affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi, Sumiyoshi-kai, and Kyokuto-kai were arrested in connection with the case.

Interestingly, a similar incident occurred in Hong Kong last December, where 1 billion yen was stolen while being transported for exchange. Members of the Hong Kong triad group were arrested in that case. Within that triad, a faction known as 14K had previously, in spring 2023, held a brotherhood oath ceremony with two senior members of a Sumiyoshi-kai-related group at a hotel in Yamanashi.

Kojima is said to have built his position due to his ability to generate income. While it is unlikely he directly ordered anything from his current position, it is not impossible that subordinates familiar with his methods acted independently. Still, in terms of timing, this arrest is more likely connected to the investigation into the Kōhei-ikka.”

The article concludes that Tokuryū-related organized crime is not limited to the Sumiyoshi-kai alone, and suggests that the police’s increasingly aggressive stance is likely making other groups uneasy as well.

※ “FRIDAY Digital” is accepting tips and information from readers. Please send any information via the submission form below or through the official X account.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official X: https://x.com/FRIDAY_twit