Yakuza looking for some improved public opinion, Yakuza gang forks out cash gifts to children at end-of-year event Options

[ravensmuse]

KOBE -- The Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza gang handed out cash to local children at an event here in an apparent attempt to appease local opinion.

Investigation sources revealed to the Mainichi on Tuesday that gifts of up to 30,000 yen were given to children during an annual mochi (rice cake) making event at the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters in Kobe's Nada Ward the day before.

The cash was handed out in two types of small envelopes in the names of "Tsukasa" or "Takayama," apparently representing gang boss Kenichi Shinoda (also known as Shinobu Tsukasa) and junior leader Kiyoshi Takayama, respectively. It is not known how many children received the cash handouts, accompanied by snacks and toys.

Hyogo Prefectural Police suspect that the move was aimed at publicizing the gang's current leadership system and appeasing local residents ahead of the release of Shinoda, who is currently serving a prison term for weapons violations.

The gang's rice cake making event is held annually at the end of the year, with stalls selling "tako-yaki" octopus dumplings and free distribution of mochi and cash. Monday's event reportedly drew some 1,200 people, twice the usual turnout.

Source

We should start a thread about interesting news like this; sure, it isn't your usual run of the mill stories, but things like this could be useful too, y'know?