Halloween is not a Japanese holiday, but in recent years it has started to catch on. In Tokyo, there have been some celebrations that at times have gotten a little out of hand. The 100 yen shops sell a variety of decorations and costume items. And, at the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi Yakuza headquarters there has been trick or treating since 2013. (Yakuza is the Japanese mafia/criminal organization). Yamaguchi-gumi members call to the children to come in and get candy and to wish them Happy Halloween.
Costumed children thought it was great - free candy! Hyogo Prefecture (where Kobe is located) didn't agree. Last week the prefectural assembly of Hyogo voted unanimously to revise the Organized Crime Law to make it illegal for a criminal organization to give gifts (money or otherwise, including snacks) to minors, to invite them onto the grounds of their facilities, or to correspond with them. The new law goes into effect October 26th, with punishment for repeat offenders facing up to six months in jail or fines of up to 500,000 yen. Kanagawa Prefecture has a similar law.
What do you think, were the yakuza members trying to be nice guys, handing out candy to children, or were they trying to recruit future members?
It's hard to know their motive but they always say to get ideology to the kids when they are young and it presents the yakuza as nice guys -- which maybe isn't the best idea! I think it was a good ruling.
Whenever I have seen children trick or treating in Tokyo they have been accompanied by parents. I think the risk of SMALL children going into the compound of the maffia is slim. Older kids, and adults, usually dress up for partying or carnival fun. I think the law is good. I guess there will be very little trick or treating as well as partying in the streets this year because of the pandemic. Why not have a quiet Halloween at home with snacks and drinks in Halloween decorated wrappings.
Well, since Halloween is not a holiday there I'd be suspicious of that group's motives. Most places here are limiting or canceling Trick or Treat due to Covid. I'm pretty sure this virus has changed a lot of our customs forever. xx, Carol
It's hard to know their motive but they always say to get ideology to the kids when they are young and it presents the yakuza as nice guys -- which maybe isn't the best idea! I think it was a good ruling.
ReplyDeleteI am saddened that a criminal organization would even think of doing something like that.
ReplyDeleteHorrible and scary.
Have a great weekend
Catherine
Whenever I have seen children trick or treating in Tokyo they have been accompanied by parents. I think the risk of SMALL children going into the compound of the maffia is slim. Older kids, and adults, usually dress up for partying or carnival fun.
ReplyDeleteI think the law is good.
I guess there will be very little trick or treating as well as partying in the streets this year because of the pandemic. Why not have a quiet Halloween at home with snacks and drinks in Halloween decorated wrappings.
It sounds very suspect! A good job it’s being halted.
ReplyDeleteBarbara xx
Well, since Halloween is not a holiday there I'd be suspicious of that group's motives. Most places here are limiting or canceling Trick or Treat due to Covid. I'm pretty sure this virus has changed a lot of our customs forever.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
I would liketo think they were giving the children a positive experience. But who knows.
ReplyDeleteSo they are organized crime, but will stop giving candy to kids because that would be breaking some new law? I'm not sure that's going to work...
ReplyDelete