Police chief sees rare chance to eliminate crime syndicates in Japan

Tuesday 07th December, 07:13 AM JST

TOKYO —

National Policy Agency Commissioner General Takaharu Ando said Monday he sees a rare chance to eliminate crime syndicates in Japan and called on society to unite to achieve this.

‘‘We now have a chance in a million,’’ he told a meeting of his agency and the National Center for the Elimination of Boryokudan crime syndicates, citing recent developments in which the police have arrested the No. 2 and 3 men in the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan’s largest crime syndicate.

‘‘In addition to a police crackdown, the whole of society must be united to isolate and track down crime syndicates,’’ Ando said.

The police hope to enhance cooperation with regional residents, local governments, bar associations and other parties to that end, he said.

Those who have contributed to expelling crime syndicates were honored at the meeting, which was also attended by National Public Safety Commission Chairwoman Tomiko Okazaki.