INTERVIEW: Japan to Conduct Strong Crackdown on “Tokuryu” Crime Rings

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)–Japan will conduct a strong crackdown on “tokuryu” anonymous and transient criminal groups, new National Public Safety Commission Chairman Jiro Akama said Tuesday. During an interview with news organizations, Akama stressed that it is “important to understand their crime methods, which change day by day, to update measures against them and provide the public with timely information.” Noting that identifying core members is essential to eliminate such groups, Akama vowed to accelerate work to draw up related legislation. In response to a surge in bear attacks on humans, Akama said that additional police officers have been deployed to Akita and Iwate prefectures and have begun hunting bears with rifles. “We’ll continue to work to secure officers with bear-culling skills and improve related equipment,” he said. As for cybercrimes, Akama said that the situation is “extremely serious,” citing a record number of ransomware attacks on companies in the first half of this year. “We’ll work to secure personnel and develop equipment for new missions, including those to prevent damage and neutralize attackers,” he said. Meanwhile, Akama said he takes “extremely serious” scandals involving police officers. “It’s important to regain trust by taking preventive measures in response to inappropriate cases and fulfilling accountability for cases under investigation,” he said. Regarding moves to create an anti-espionage law and establish a national intelligence bureau, Akama said, “It’s very important to protect national interests from harmful activities by foreign countries.” Following cabinet approval for a plan to strengthen intelligence activities, Akama said that he “will instruct the National Police Agency to participate in and contribute to discussions on necessary systems.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]