"You'll Regret It Forever" Japanese Yakuza Boss Boasts to Judge Who Sentenced Him to 'Death'

First Death Sentence for Yakuza Boss in Japan

The boss of Japan's 'Kudokai,' Nomura Satoru, was sentenced to death.
/Photo by NHK broadcast screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Satoru Nomura (74), the boss of 'Kudokai,' known as Japan's worst Yakuza organization, has been sentenced to death. Nomura reportedly showed a defiant attitude toward the judge who sentenced him, saying, "How can there be such a verdict! You will regret this for the rest of your life."

According to local media such as Japan's Sankei Shimbun and NHK, on the 24th, the Fukuoka District Court sentenced Satoru Nomura, the head of 'Kudokai,' who was charged with murder and violations of the Organized Crime Punishment Act (attempted murder), to death. According to local media, this is the first time a current Yakuza boss in Japan has been sentenced to death.

Previously, Nomura was on trial for involvement in several incidents, including the 1998 murder of a fisheries cooperative head to seize business rights, the 2012 shooting of a retired police officer who was investigating him, the 2013 stabbing attack on a nurse, and the 2014 stabbing attack on a dentist related to the fisheries cooperative head.

In court, Nomura claimed, "I was in seclusion, so I was not in a position to give orders to members, and there is no evidence that I was involved."

However, the court did not accept Nomura's claims. Judge Tsutomu Adachi stated, "It is inconceivable that the Yakuza committed these crimes without Nomura's decision," and judged that "Nomura was involved in all four cases."

He added, "It is an extremely malicious crime for a violent organization to attack civilians, and the shock to society is immeasurable," and ruled, "There is no sign of remorse from the defendant, nor any special circumstances to avoid the death penalty."

After the trial, Nomura warned the judge, saying, "I asked for a fair judgment, but it is not fair at all," and "You will regret this for the rest of your life."

The police stated, "We hope that this verdict will lead Kudokai members to break away from the organization and walk the path of rehabilitation," and "The police will provide support, so we hope they come for consultation anytime."

Meanwhile, 'Kudokai,' based in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, is known as a notorious organization in Japan. Generally, 'Yakuza' rarely commit crimes against ordinary citizens, but 'Kudokai' indiscriminately carries out terrorism against individuals and companies. Because of this, local police have designated Kudokai as a 'Specified Dangerous Designated Organized Crime Group' and manage it separately.