Latest news with #MetropolitanPoliceDepartment
The Mainichi
a day ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Tokyo police dept. evolving into Japanese 'FBI' to tackle crimes by anonymous, fluid groups
TOKYO -- Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is evolving into the "Japanese version of the FBI" in its approach to a rise of anonymous and loosely organized criminal groups in Japan known as "tokuryu." The organizational restructuring being implemented by law enforcers in the capital to strengthen measures against anonymous and fluid criminal groups is grounded in the mindset that "the police should adapt their methods to match the styles of the bad actors." Utilizing investigative frameworks developed from incidents that shook society 30 years ago, the police are gearing up for crackdowns. Caught in the tactics of 'tokuryu' The sentiment from police officials that "there are emerging threats which don't fit into the existing framework of organized crime" encapsulates their sense of crisis. Traditionally, organized crime groups in Japan have been mainly yakuza, whose organizational structures were well-understood by the police. However, with the advancement of communication tools like social media, organized crime has shifted significantly toward the "tokuryu" model. "Tokuryu" groups use disposable operatives as pawns, and connections within the group are weak. It is difficult to identify higher-ranking members by arresting and pressuring those operatives alone in bottom-up-style investigations. Of the 10,105 individuals apprehended in "tokuryu" incidents in 2024, only about 10% were in commanding roles. A senior police official stated with a pained expression, "We've been caught in the tactics of 'tokuryu.' Even if we arrest what you might call the group's 'branch manager,' the business model remains, and the top leaders continue to live freely." Analysis at police headquarters In response, the MPD has decided to establish the "tokuryu countermeasures headquarters," seeking a new approach to investigations. An MPD source explained, "The tokuryu countermeasures headquarters will act as the 'staff headquarters' and brain. It will analyze data across the MPD." Information from across the country will also be gathered through the National Police Agency (NPA). A police source noted, "Even if prefectural police have a vague idea of a (tokuryu) organization's higher-ups, they sometimes don't report it, thinking it's difficult to crack down on them. That mindset needs to change." Senior investigators aim to "draw a large map, devise a strategy and then arrest the ringleaders" to dismantle the criminal groups. This approach will help identify key individuals for well-targeted investigations, with the MPD taking the lead in these operations. A police source revealed, "Regarding 'tokuryu' investigations, it's like equipping the MPD with functions similar to the FBI." The Federal Bureau of Investigation is a "national police" force capable of carrying out investigations across the entire United States. Japanese police typically operate based on jurisdiction, such as where an incident occurs or where individuals involved are located. However, the NPA has clarified that, concerning "tokuryu" investigations, the MPD will be deployed even in areas outside its jurisdiction (namely Tokyo) if directed by the head of the NPA. This approach of wide-area investigations into organized crime was institutionalized in the 1996 revision to the Police Act, based on lessons from investigations into the Aum Shinrikyo cult, which committed the Tokyo subway sarin nerve gas attack in 1995. While Aum Shinrikyo was responsible for a series of incidents, the MPD, with the most substantial investigative capacity in Japan, could not participate in the investigation until the February 1995 abduction of the chief clerk of the Meguro Notary Office in Tokyo. Since the introduction of wide-area investigations, this method has been applied to two of three categories: overseas abductions and international terrorism or major cyber incidents. However, its application to general incidents like "tokuryu" investigations is unprecedented. The plan is to endow the MPD with "quasi-national police" capabilities, allowing them to conduct investigations beyond jurisdictional boundaries and concentrate personnel and resources in a "top-down" investigation approach. Seeking advantages of scale Along with establishing the "tokuryu countermeasures headquarters," the MPD will merge its Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Organized Crime Control Bureau. The Organized Crime Control Bureau was established in 2003 to investigate organized crimes involving gangs, drug and firearm trafficking organizations and criminal groups consisting of foreigners. However, when investigating telecom fraud cases, police stations were consulting both the Criminal Investigation Bureau's second investigation division and the Organized Crime Control Bureau's anti-gang division, leading to inefficiencies. The special investigation division to be established within the Criminal Investigation Bureau will gather personnel involved in telecom scam investigations and other resources from both the second investigation division and the anti-gang division. They will handle both telecom fraud cases and "tokuryu" investigations, leveraging the scale advantages of combining the two departments. However, challenges remain, such as dealing with "tokuryu" groups based overseas, necessitating stronger collaboration with international investigative agencies. Enhancing capabilities to analyze smartphones is also essential. "To eradicate 'tokuryu,' the MPD, with its scale, must make significant efforts," a senior MPD official resolved.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man injured in shooting near Waterfront Metro Station in DC
WASHINGTON () — Police said a man was taken to the hospital after he was shot near the Waterfront Metro Station on Thursday afternoon. Details are limited; however, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers were called to the 400 block of M Street SW, just before 4 p.m. on May 29, for the report of a shooting. This is near the Wharf. Florida Congressman introduces bill to rename Metro 'WMAGA', 'Trump Train' Upon arrival, police found a man who had been shot, conscious and breathing. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the extent of his injuries is unknown. The police department urges anyone with information about this case to call 202-727-9099 or text MPD at 50411. Check for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man shot in arm in Northeast DC; police investigating
WASHINGTON () — D.C. police are investigating after a man was shot in the Trinidad neighborhood Thursday night. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told DC News Now that officers were called to the 1300 block of Staples Street NE, just before 10:25 p.m. on May 29, for the sounds of gunshots. Amid surge in Southeast DC violence, leaders discuss solutions at safety meeting While canvassing the area, officers found a man who had been shot in his arm in the 1300 block of Florida Avenue NE, according to the police report. Medics took him to the hospital for treatment. The circumstances of what led up to the shooting remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099 or text MPD at 50411. Check for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Asahi Shimbun
3 days ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Man arrested in Japan's largest individual online gambling case
Police seized a notebook from the suspect that detailed his 'winning strategies' for online casinos. (Natsuno Otahara) Police have arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of online gambling in what is believed to be the largest individual case of its kind in Japan, involving bets worth tens of billions of yen. Makoto Chomabayashi is accused of wagering 90 million yen ($625,500), mainly on baccarat, on the global casino site Stake between August 2022 and April this year, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. The suspect, from Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, admitted to the allegations, saying he was aware that online gambling is illegal in Japan but believed he wouldn't get caught. 'News reports said there were hundreds of thousands of players in Japan, so I thought I was only the tip of the iceberg,' he said. However, investigators suspect he is much more than that and believe he placed bets totaling 28 billion yen, the largest amount ever attributed to one individual in an illegal gambling case in Japan. Despite the massive amount wagered, Chomabayashi likely ended up losing 40 million yen. He is also suspected of acting as an affiliate marketer for the casino site. To attract new users, he posted images of gambling wins on X under the alias 'Meikyo Shisui'—a term from Chinese philosophy meaning a 'clear and serene mind.' Investigators believe he referred over 100 players to the platform and earned 7 million yen in commissions since April 2023. The suspect said he was motivated by a desire for recognition, noting that praise for his big scores boosted his self-worth. According to a recent National Police Agency survey, an estimated 3.37 million people in Japan have gambled through online casinos, with total bets reaching 1.24 trillion yen annually. Alarmingly, 40 percent of users were unaware their activities were illegal under Japanese law. In response, the government has revised its policies on illegal gambling, introducing stricter regulations targeting affiliate marketers and third-party payment processors.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DC police looking for two suspects after fatal Northwest shooting
WASHINGTON () — The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is in search of the persons responsible for a Thursday shooting that left one man dead. According to police, officers received reports of a shooting shortly after 3 p.m. in the 900 block of Barry Place NW. There, a man was found dead, suffering from a gunshot wound. His name has not been released. Capital Jewish Museum reopens week after Israeli Embassy staffers killed MPD said to look out for two juveniles. One was wearing all black clothing and a ski mask, and the other was also wearing all black clothing. Anyone who sees them should call 911 with the event number: I20250258714 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
