Organized crime groups are facing a tough challenge with declining membership and profits. In response, many are adopting new tactics used by anonymous criminal networks. These groups, often operating through social media, have found ways to recruit and carry out illicit activities more discreetly.
Historically, yakuza groups showcased their presence with large signs outside their offices to intimidate local businesses. However, crackdowns by authorities have made it harder for these groups to operate openly. “Affiliation with organized crime groups has become a burden now,” explained Noboru Hirosue, a part-time researcher at Ryukoku University. “There are fewer opportunities to operate in the open,” he added.
National Police Agency (NPA) officials suspect that organized crime groups are increasingly collaborating with “tokuryu” groups. These groups are loosely connected through social media and operate with disposable phones to commit crimes like fraud and robberies. Now, even the Sumiyoshi-kai syndicate, Japan’s second-largest gang, is retreating from public view.
The Sumiyoshi-kai is in the process of selling its headquarters in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. Police are uncertain about where the gang plans to set up its new base. The group still has about 3,200 members, along with others involved in criminal activities. In November 2023, the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission designated the Shinjuku condo as the Sumiyoshi-kai’s official headquarters. However, a temporary injunction from the Tokyo District Court in June 2024 banned its continued use.
The gang has been slow to vacate the building. Sources indicate that the gang has struggled to find a moving company willing to remove large items. While Sumiyoshi-kai members have notified lawyers about selling the property, they have yet to fully vacate the premises.
Police officials are concerned that without a fixed headquarters, it will be harder to track the group. “Rather than having a single headquarters, the gang may move from place to place,” one police official speculated. The lack of a known headquarters could prevent the Public Safety Commission from issuing official orders or legal action against the group.
The decline in gang membership has been steady since the 1992 law aimed at cracking down on organized crime. As of late 2024, the total number of gang members nationwide dropped below 20,000, a sharp decline from 184,100 members in 1963.
While traditional gangs shrink, tokuryu groups are becoming more prominent. These groups are linked to various crimes, including online fraud, robberies, and illegal gambling. In 2024, police detained over 10,000 tokuryu members involved in criminal activity. Interestingly, many were recruited through social media for “yami baito,” or shady part-time jobs.
It is believed that organized crime groups and tokuryu groups are increasingly collaborating, with some tokuryu groups funneling money to gangs. Hirosue pointed out that Sumiyoshi-kai’s decision to operate without a visible headquarters could indicate a shift toward becoming a tokuryu group. He warned that organized crime groups would likely continue to move further underground.
“Soon, gangs might not even need a physical headquarters,” Hirosue said. “They could operate entirely over the internet, which would require new laws to address.”
Organized crime groups are adapting to changing times, but their shifting methods could make it more difficult for authorities to keep up.
