Tokyo police chief promotes anti-gang legislation at J-League match

The superintendent general of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department raised a “red card” to criminal organizations on Wednesday evening prior to a J-League cup match, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Aug. 8).

Tateshi Higuchi offered a ceremonial kick of a soccer ball from the sidelines in front of an estimated 10,000 spectators to begin a quarterfinal match of the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, featuring F.C. Tokyo against Vegalta Sendai, at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu City, Tokyo.

Legislation that went into effect on October 1 of last year prohibits business transactions between ordinary citizens and members of organized crime, such as the paying mikajimeryo (protection money). The law is in effect nationwide.

In February, a declaration signed by J-League chairman Kazumi Ohigashi formally indicated that “anti-social forces,” or organized crime syndicates, are banned from associating with the league’s clubs, players, and referees.


http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2012/08/09/tokyo-police-chief-promotes-anti-gang-legislation-at-j-league-match/

Of course, it curious what they make of the owner of J2 team http://www.fcryukyu.com/ Nobuyuki Sakakibara - a colorful character - maybe only a yellow card?

http://www.fightopinion.com/2011/02/08/where-are-they-now-nobuyuki-sakakibara/
http://www.fightopinion.com/2012/03/26/pride-five-years-later/

A short search of the web produces some other interesting background on Nobuyuki Sakakibara's yakuza connections -

http://www.scribd.com/doc/46533478/Miro-Mijatovic-v-Pride-FC-Nobuyuki-Sakakibara-Yamaguchi-Gumi
激突！ ミロ・ミヤトビッチ vs 榊原社長 PRIDE FC 山口 組