Tokyo cops arrest foreigners, yakuza in 12-man brawl

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Thursday announced the arrest of Bangladeshi nationals and an organized crime member for participation in a brawl in Sumida Ward last year, reports Nippon News Network (April 10).

Officers took Jiem Uddin, 37, and Tatsuya Kawai, a 25-year-old gang member, into custody for involvement in a fight among 12 people that erupted in a business district near JR Kinshicho Station in May of last year. Three other Bangladeshis were also taken into custody.

According to TV Asahi (April 9), Kawai was driving a vehicle through the area when the fight started. Three people subsequently received serious injuries, including bone fractures.

Uddin and Kawai, who have been charged with inflicting injury, have reportedly admitted to the allegations.

The Bangladeshis and Kawai have had trouble in the past regarding the payment by businesses of mikajimeryo, or protection money.

Police are also seeking to question six other Bangladeshi nationals about the incident.