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Leader of New Japanese Crime Group Arrested in Manhunt

1/29/2026

46 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Horaki Obata, 40, is the suspected leader of the Natural crime group.
He was arrested on Amami Island in Kagoshima after a year-long manhunt.
Obata denies the sex-industry recruitment charges.
Analysts say tokuryu gangs are a newer form of Japanese organized crime and can function without leaders.
Obata allegedly paid 600,000 yen to a subgroup of the Yamaguchi-gumi gang for access to women in Tokyo's Shibuya district.

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Story summary

Horaki Obata, 40, is the suspected leader of the Natural crime group.
He was arrested on Amami Island in Kagoshima after a year-long manhunt.
Obata denies the sex-industry recruitment charges.
Analysts say tokuryu gangs are a newer form of Japanese organized crime and can function without leaders.
Obata allegedly paid 600,000 yen to a subgroup of the Yamaguchi-gumi gang for access to women in Tokyo's Shibuya district.