Police raided the offices of two rival yakuza gangs in Toyama Prefecture on Tuesday over suspected violation of road traffic laws after they paraded in the streets in a downtown area in a show of power in late September.
The Haga-gumi, affiliated with Japan’s largest crime syndicate the Yamaguchi-gumi, and the Hongo-gumi under the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, which recently split from the main gang, allegedly occupied some roads in the city of Toyama on the Sea of Japan coast without obtaining prior permission.
The police believe the Hongo-gumi gangsters drove about a dozen cars in the downtown area with about 100 gang members marched alongside in a display of power on the night of Sept 25.
To intimidate those linked to the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, the Haga-gumi is also suspected to have taken similar action, driving cars and having about 100 members walk through the area known for its pubs, bars and restaurants on the night of Sept 28.
A restaurant manager who witnessed the parades said it was intimidating suddenly to see a convoy of luxurious black cars on the streets.