The International Crime Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police has arrested five people, including 23-year-old Yoshiki Miyashita from Yao City, Osaka Prefecture, on suspicion of robbery and assault.
In July, two Taiwanese men were beaten with iron pipes on the streets of Kanda, Tokyo. Police have not revealed whether the suspects have pleaded guilty to the charges.
Other suspects include demolition workers Manato Otani (21, Sapporo) and Yuto Fujii (22, also from Sapporo), as well as a 19-year-old unemployed man from Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, and an 18-year-old man from Osaka, whose occupation is unclear.
Police say the group plotted to attack two Taiwanese men in the Kanda-Sudacho area of Chiyoda around 9 a.m. on July 31. They allegedly fired tear gas, hit victims in the face with iron pipes, and tried to steal a suitcase.
Investigators revealed that Miyashita and four others rented a car in Osaka around midnight, drove about 500 kilometers, and arrived at the scene at 7:40 in the morning. Before the attack, they sprayed black paint on two security cameras to disable them. Authorities are also investigating possible ties to a roving crime group known as "Tokuru".
Attack: A planned street attack
Police believe this was not random – it was a carefully planned attack. The victims, two Taiwanese men aged between 30 and 40, were walking near JR Kanda Station with suitcases. The area is a busy business district, although mornings are usually quiet.
At about 9:10 a.m., the suspects came out of hiding, sprayed tear gas to blind the victim, and then hit them with an iron pipe. One man fell, bleeding heavily, while the other managed to escape but was still badly injured.
A suitcase worth approximately 20,000 yen was the target. But bystanders called the police, and the victims retaliated as the attackers fled empty-handed.
Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital. The report revealed facial fractures and head injuries, which required stitches. One person remained hospitalized for more than a week. His life was not in danger, but the blow was severe.
After escaping, the suspects headed back to Osaka. Police tracked them down using surveillance footage, victim testimony, and rental car records. Arrests were made in Osaka, Sapporo, and Kyoto between 20 and 21 November. The two suspects, aged 18 and 19, were processed under juvenile law but were still considered accomplices.
Who they were: A makeshift crime team
The five men, aged between 18 and 23, came from different backgrounds. Miyashita was unemployed in Yao City, Osaka. Otani and Fuji carried out demolition work in Sapporo. The 19-year-old from Kyoto had no steady job, while the 18-year-old from Osaka handled car rental and logistics.
Interestingly, the men were not close friends. They reportedly met through underground job boards known as "Yami Bayto". Police suspect that they had worked together on petty crimes before forming this loose alliance. This attack could be a major attack targeting cash or valuables.
Shadows of Tokuru: Japan's Roaming Crime Groups
Authorities are investigating possible links to "Tokuru", a type of unidentified crime group. These gangs recruit through social media or the dark web, operate in different areas, and often target foreigners or tourists.
Similar pipe attacks occurred in Tokyo and Osaka in 2024, mostly against Asian victims. Experts say tokuryu groups use rental cars and disposable phones to evade police. In this case, the suspects covered a distance of 500 km, attacked within minutes, and fled – classic roaming crime tactics.
Japan's National Police Agency reported a 15% increase in violent crimes against foreigners in the first half of 2025, with robberies up 30%. Kanda has become a hotspot for students and business travelers. Police have increased patrolling and installed AI-powered cameras around JR Kanda station to prevent a recurrence.
To stay safe, police recommend carrying personal protective spray, avoiding walking alone, and using the official app to report suspicious activity. Companies have also been urged to train employees about safety. The International Crimes Division says the investigation into the wider network continues, with the trial expected to begin in early 2026.
