Organized Crime Department
Fight against Organized Crimes
Boryokudan undertake a variety of unjust or unlawful activities, such as using their organizational power to pursue economic benefits. Such behavior is based upon their principles which considerably deviate from the general rule of law. They also show their violent nature of adopting any means to achieve their goals. For example, there were cases in which Boryokudan members attacked business operators who would not accept their demands in retaliation or as warnings. Conflicts also broke out over the choices of their leaders’ successors.
To disrupt Boryokudan activities, the police are engaged in strict crackdowns on illegal activities and public campaigns to alienate Boryokudan from society.
(Note: Boryokudan is commonly referred to as "Yakuza" and is defined by the Anti-Boryokudan Act as "any organization likely to facilitate its members to collectively or habitually commit illegal acts of violence.")
In recent years, Many foreign nationals reside in Japan, and the number of foreign visitors to Japan has also been increasing.
The NPA is intensifying efforts to crack down on international crime in order to effectively respond to the threat from the transnational organized crime groups, whose members might be traveling to Japan among other visitors. In this regard, the NPA is promoting countermeasures such as improving intelligence capacity and collaboration with relevant agencies in Japan and abroad.
Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
In April 2007, the Japan Financial Intelligence Center (JAFIC) was established as Japan’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in the NPSC/NPA. JAFIC is responsible for collecting and analyzing suspicious transaction reports (STRs).
Firearms and Drug Control
The number of firearms-related incidents has remained below 50 per year since 2009, many of which are thought to have been committed by “Boryokudan.” In the long-term, the number of firearms seizures has been decreasing; however, it turned upward in 2019.
Crystallized methamphetamine remains the primary drug of concern in Japan, both in terms of amount seized and arrests. Almost all methamphetamine found in Japan is smuggled by international drug trafficking organizations. The number of cases of methamphetamine smuggling by air passengers from Southeast Asia continues to increase. The rise in cannabis abuse particularly among the youths is another recent trend.
The police cooperate with domestic and foreign authorities to fight against firearms and drug crimes in implementation of legal system, joint investigation, information exchange, and awareness raising campaigns.
Drug Control in Japan
- Possesion or Use of Drugs is a Criminal Offense in Japan (131KB)
- The Import of Prescribed is Restricted by Japanese law (76KB)
- Over2,000 designer drugs/NPA such as Rush are designated as unlawful substances by Japanese law (108KB)
- Additional Information here (Japan Customs)