The trial of Yuki Watanabe, 42, described as one of the leaders of the "Luffy" group, opened with prosecutors set to decide whether to seek the death penalty or life imprisonment for a man accused over a fatal robbery in Tokyo.
Watanabe was deported from the Philippines three years and nine months ago. The Luffy group is regarded as an early example of a tokuryu — an anonymous, fluid crime group that recruits through underworld job ads, known in Japanese as yami baito.
Crimes imitating its methods continue, the Mainichi Shimbun reported. Prosecutors are expected to take a hard line at trial, arguing that a severe sentence is needed to deter others.
Life terms already final for accomplices
In the robbery that killed a person in Komae, Tokyo, three of the four men who carried it out have had life sentences finalized. The fourth was 19 at the time of the crime.
Prosecutors sought life imprisonment for Seiya Fujita, described as one of those who gave the orders, and the first-instance court handed down that sentence.
Earlier hearings established a hierarchy within the group, with Fujita calling Watanabe "boss." Whether prosecutors seek the same life term for Watanabe, or argue that the threat to ordinary people and the planning involved justify death even with a single fatality, is likely to be the focus.
Defense says Watanabe only helped
Watanabe has argued he "only helped" in the robbery resulting in death, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of death. If his role is limited to aiding, the Penal Code requires a reduced sentence.
The trial will run for 13 days of evidence and witness examinations. The ruling is scheduled for December 14.
The case is a test of whether police and prosecutors can establish and explain the chain of command behind tokuryu crimes.
“I only helped.”Yuki Watanabe, defendant