Fukuoka police concerned as new yakuza group forms

FUKUOKA (TR) – Fukuoka Prefectural Police on Monday expressed concern following the formation of a new organized crime group to replace the Kyushu Seido-kai, which broke up four months ago, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Oct. 7).

On Monday afternoon, approximately 20 black-suited upper members of the Kyushu Seido-kai organized crime group visited a shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture. One member read aloud an oath announcing the formation of the Namikawa Mutsumi-kai, based in Omuta City, Fukuoka.

A spokesperson for the prefectural police says there is concern that the move will reignite a long-running battle with the Dojin-kai organized crime group, which did not approve of the establishment of the Namikawa Mutsumi-kai.

On June 11, senior members of the Kyushu Seido-kai visited the Kurume Police Station in Fukuoka to announce the conclusion of their seven-year dispute with the Dojin-kai. The Kyushu Seido-kai representatives said the gang was disbanding to resolve problems the dispute had caused.

The Kyushu Seido-kai began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Dojin-kai following the resignation of longtime Dojin-kai boss Seijiro Matsuo. In Fukuoka, Saga, and Kumamoto prefectures, the gangs have a engaged 47 in violent incidents that have resulted in 14 deaths.