OKINAWA (TR) – A male reporter for the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper is facing strict disciplinary action after admitting to attending the funeral of a yakuza syndicate boss and offering condolence money, the publisher has confirmed, reports the Okinawa Times (May 2).
Makoto Itokazu, chairman of the Okinawa-based Kyokuryu-kai, died on April 19 in a fire that broke out at the syndicate’s office in Okinawa City.
During Itokazu’s funeral at a local hall on April 25, the reporter, who is in his 40s, was spotted by a rival journalist holding a bag containing a return gift (koden-gaeshi) — a traditional token given to guests who provide monetary offerings to the deceased’s family.
According to the Ryukyu Shimpo, the reporter attended the service to observe the proceedings from the inside. To do so, he offered incense and paid 2,000 yen in condolence money (koden) under his own name. The newspaper firmly denied that the reporter had any ongoing ties to the crime syndicate.
“The reporter did not consult with us prior to attending the funeral, and we were unaware of his actions,” the Ryukyu Shimpo said in a statement. “While his attendance was for reporting purposes, it is hard to call it an appropriate act. We will take strict action after confirming the details of the incident.”
The exchange of cash with an organized crime group has drawn harsh criticism. Veteran journalist Akihiro Otani noted that handing money to a yakuza organization and accepting a return gift drastically deviates from common journalistic practices.
“It could potentially conflict with local anti-yakuza ordinances that prohibit providing funds to or fraternizing with crime syndicates,” Otani said. “While covering anti-social forces is a given, reporters are in closer proximity to their subjects than the general public, and they must never overstep their boundaries as members of the media.”
AloJapan.com