Yakuza boss arrested in Thailand after tattoos go viral - Sensationalist Headlines

[IMG]https://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/174C1/production/_99552459_84652a2a-e061-48be-9ce1-49d351adfd74.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE][B]Thai police have arrested a Japanese yakuza boss on the run for 15 years after pictures of his tattoos went viral on Facebook.[/B]Shigeharu Shirai is accused of murdering a gang rival in 2003. The photographs of the 74-year old fugitive's elaborate yakuza tattoos were taken by a local person in Thailand unaware of his identity. The mafia-like yakuza gangs have been part of Japanese society for centuries and have an estimated 60,000 members. While the gangs themselves are not illegal, much of their earnings are gained illicitly through gambling, prostitution, drug trafficking and cyber-hacking. When the pictures of Mr Shirai went viral they caught the attention of Japanese police who requested his arrest.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42646381[/url] Photo that lead to his arrest: [IMG]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/11/09/4801C8F300000578-5257769-image-m-10_1515662967994.jpg[/IMG]

Good job. Hope he doesn't die of old age before he can be punished.

Eh, the dude's pretty old. Is it really worth it?

Yes, age should have no say in the matter.

[QUOTE=MightyLOLZOR;53044077]Eh, the dude's pretty old. Is it really worth it?[/QUOTE] He murdered a dude less than 15 years ago

guys this isnt a "forced into being a nazi 70 years ago" lol most yakuza are still involved with organized crime in some way until they're very old or near dead

[QUOTE=MightyLOLZOR;53044077]Eh, the dude's pretty old. Is it really worth it?[/QUOTE] The dude could probably still kick your ass man. Age doesn't come into play with this, and he's not some old as german soldier who they are trying to call a nazi because he stood guard at a tower in a concentration camp.

[QUOTE=MightyLOLZOR;53044077]Eh, the dude's pretty old. Is it really worth it?[/QUOTE] I don't know anything about the Yakuza, but if they're anything like the criminalized crime here in Italy, it absolutely is. Not only 15 years ago are "not a lot" for a fucking mass killing, but bosses do not simply stop being bosses when they become fugitives, they still keep pulling the strings from whatever shitty place of hiding they have.

[QUOTE=Annoyed Grunt;53044146]I don't know anything about the Yakuza, but if they're anything like the criminalized crime here in Italy, it absolutely is. Not only 15 years ago are "not a lot" for a fucking mass killing, but bosses do not simply stop being bosses when they become fugitives, they still keep pulling the strings from whatever shitty place of hiding they have.[/QUOTE] Yakuza membership has been declining a lot over the recent years. They're not as powerful as they used to be.

So was he recognized because those tattoos are a Yakuza superstition/tradition thing (like those specific tattoos identify him as belonging to a particular Yakuza organization that all members might have), or was he recognized because those tattoos identified him as being specifically him and he was already known to be a Yakuza? Because you might as well tattoo "I'm a bad guy" on your forehead if it's the former. I would hope they don't get smart.

[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;53044176]So was he recognized because those tattoos are a Yakuza superstition/tradition thing (like those specific tattoos identify him as belonging to a particular Yakuza organization that all members might have), or was he recognized because those tattoos identified him as being specifically him and he was already known to be a Yakuza? Because you might as well tattoo "I'm a bad guy" on your forehead if it's the former. I would hope they don't get smart.[/QUOTE] Not really clear from the article, but given that a specific murder charge is being laid at his feet, I would assume that the police had a photo or description of the tattoo as belonging to the perpetrator, but were unaware of who it actually belonged to? That said, Japan has a really weird social perspective of tattoos. In the West, tattoos are pretty damn common, and generally just seen to be a form of self-expression. In Japan, tattooing is linked pretty closely to organized crime, tattoos in general are socially frowned upon, and those bearing them tend to face a certain amount of contempt because of that. People might not think you're in the yakuza, but many will probably think of you as a shady character. As a weird example, my wife and I both have small tattoos, and had to "shop around" for a hot spring we could visit that would even allow us. Many hot springs and public baths disallow those with tattoos from using them. [URL="http://selected-ryokan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pic-0065-06-960x640.jpg"]We ended finding an incredibly fucking beautiful one[/URL], though, and after emailing the staff to confirm that our tattoos were okay, we were allowed to book on the condition that we try to keep them covered, and give other bathers their space.

[QUOTE=Big Dumb American;53044200]Not really clear from the article, but given that a specific murder charge is being laid at his feet, I would assume that the police had a photo or description of the tattoo as belonging to the perpetrator, but were unaware of who it actually belonged to? That said, Japan has a really weird social perspective of tattoos. In the West, tattoos are pretty damn common, and generally just seen to be a form of self-expression. In Japan, tattooing is linked pretty closely to organized crime, tattoos in general are socially frowned upon, and those bearing them tend to face a certain amount of contempt because of that. People might not think you're in the yakuza, but many will probably think of you as a shady character. As a weird example, my wife and I both have small tattoos, and had to "shop around" for a hot spring we could visit that would even allow us. Many hot springs and public baths disallow those with tattoos from using them. [URL="http://selected-ryokan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pic-0065-06-960x640.jpg"]We ended finding an incredibly fucking beautiful one[/URL], though, and after emailing the staff to confirm that our tattoos were okay, we were allowed to book on the condition that we try to keep them covered, and give other bathers their space.[/QUOTE] By extension it goes to the rest of Asia. Thailand and other buddhist SEA countries are kinda special though, tattoos are done by monks, with bamboo instead of the pen, and its meant to be a lucky/protective charm. But in other parts like Malaysia or Singapore its closely associated with secret societies, aka triads.

Hilarious situation to be in. I bet the guy is extremely mad at the circumstances. Sick that's tho. However, they scream "Yakuza" all over them.

Why don't tattoos like this ever connect in the middle?

[QUOTE=X12321;53044429]Why don't tattoos like this ever connect in the middle?[/QUOTE] If I recall correctly it's so they can wear the long jacket type things without doing them up.

[QUOTE=MightyLOLZOR;53044164]Yakuza membership has been declining a lot over the recent years. They're not as powerful as they used to be.[/QUOTE] Who's gonna fill the void when they disappear

[QUOTE=Pigbear;53044541]Who's gonna fill the void when they disappear[/QUOTE] Nobody. Japan's anti-organized crime laws wiped most of them out. Unless someone finds a loophole, it's most likely going to stay that way.

[QUOTE=MightyLOLZOR;53044632]Nobody. Japan's anti-organized crime laws wiped most of them out. Unless someone finds a loophole, it's most likely going to stay that way.[/QUOTE] IIRC there are some small Nigerian gangs that mostly deal in prostitution and drug peddling. I think they're mostly Yakuza lackies but they may end up filling in the void.

So nobody is going to comment on how his nipples form the center of flowers?

Huh, [URL="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yubitsume"]looks like he's missing his pinky tip[/URL] But on another note, I've seen Yakuzas at Japanese beaches and stuff, Japanese police won't really arrest Yakuza members unless they have hard evidence that the individual committed a crime.

I hope the guy who took the picture doesn't mysteriously disappear.

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;53044226]By extension it goes to the rest of Asia. Thailand and other buddhist SEA countries are kinda special though, tattoos are done by monks, with bamboo instead of the pen, and its meant to be a lucky/protective charm. But in other parts like [B]Malaysia or Singapore[/B] its closely associated with secret societies, aka triads.[/QUOTE] I've never heard of this since its not that rare to see a dude with a tattoo that just has one because they wanted one.

[QUOTE=Matrix374;53046219]I've never heard of this since its not that rare to see a dude with a tattoo that just has one because they wanted one.[/QUOTE] Its less of an issue today.

[QUOTE=MightyLOLZOR;53044077]Eh, the dude's pretty old. Is it really worth it?[/QUOTE] "He murdered someone, so what?" How can you even argue for that?

My bf and I are planning on going to Japan late this year, we've been around 5 times in the past. We also just got small matching tats on our wrists... Hope that doesn't cause an issue :S

[QUOTE=Ona;53061944]My bf and I are planning on going to Japan late this year, we've been around 5 times in the past. We also just got small matching tats on our wrists... Hope that doesn't cause an issue :S[/QUOTE] IIRC it's sleeve tattoos that are problematic, I know it at least used to be the case that enlisted american servicemen with tattoos like that weren't supposed to show them off when stationed in Japan because people would equate them with gangsters

[QUOTE=Ona;53061944]My bf and I are planning on going to Japan late this year, we've been around 5 times in the past. We also just got small matching tats on our wrists... Hope that doesn't cause an issue :S[/QUOTE] I hope Japanese police throw you two in jail for a long time

[QUOTE=Ona;53061944]My bf and I are planning on going to Japan late this year, we've been around 5 times in the past. We also just got small matching tats on our wrists... Hope that doesn't cause an issue :S[/QUOTE] You're not planning on making a VLOG are you?

[QUOTE=fruxodaily;53068894]I hope Japanese police throw you two in jail for a long time[/QUOTE] A Japanese prison? With more gangsters in it? But won't that inevitably result in us getting [I]more[/I] tattoos as we are forced to integrate into one of the prison's gangs for survival and end up becoming hardened, jaded mob toughs? That sounds kind of counterproductive. [QUOTE=Bradyns;53071195]You're not planning on making a VLOG are you?[/QUOTE] Well I [I]was,[/I] but then that asshole Logan stole my idea so I'll need to think of some new way to enrage the masses. /s

Thanks for spoiling Yakuza 6 for me.