In a bizarre turn of events, Japanese authorities have apprehended a high-ranking member of the yakuza, Japan's notorious organized crime syndicate, for allegedly pilfering Pokémon trading cards. Keita Saito, a 39-year-old lieutenant in the Sumiyoshi-kai, the nation's second-largest yakuza group, was arrested by the Tachikawa Precinct of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police in connection with a December 2022 burglary.
The incident unfolded in the Saitama Prefecture town of Ogano, where an office was broken into sometime between nightfall on December 29th and sunrise the following day. The loot from the heist amounted to 29 items valued at roughly 252, 000 yen (approximately $2, 300 USD), with Pokémon cards forming a notable portion of the stolen goods.
While details concerning the specific cards remain undisclosed, the popularity of Pokémon has surged in recent years, driving up the value of rare editions. This surge has created a thriving market for these collectibles, potentially fetching significant sums on the resale market.
Saito reportedly admitted to his participation in the burglary, while his accomplice, 56-year-old Hidefumi Kuboshita, maintains his innocence. Kuboshita, with no known yakuza affiliation, is believed to have played a role in planning or directing the crime. The authorities are currently searching for two additional suspects involved in the case.
This unexpected arrest has sparked a wave of amusement and bemusement online. The image of a high-ranking yakuza figure resorting to petty theft of Pokémon cards has struck a humorous chord with many. However, the incident also highlights the evolving landscape of the yakuza. With traditional revenue streams like gambling and racketeering under increasing pressure from law enforcement and societal shifts, some yakuza groups may be venturing into more unconventional criminal activities to sustain their operations.
The extent to which Pokémon card theft represents a trend within the yakuza remains to be seen. Nevertheless, this unusual case serves as a reminder of the organization's adaptability and the lengths some members might go to in order to raise funds.