Okinawa Reporter Under Fire for Giving Condolence Money at Yakuza Boss's Funeral
A reporter for the Ryukyu Shimpo, one of Okinawa's primary local newspapers, has sparked significant controversy after it was revealed that he attended the funeral of the top leader of the "Kyokuryu-kai," a designated organized crime group, and provided a monetary condolence gift. The incident has led to a wave of criticism on social media, with many questioning the fairness and ethics of the press, and some calling the act "a departure from standard journalistic practices." The individual at the center of the controversy is a male reporter in his 40s. At the funeral of Kyokuryu-kai Chairman Makoto Itokazu, the reporter reportedly offered 2,000 yen in his own name as "koden" (condolence money) and received a return gift in exchange. The story was initially reported by the newspaper’s rival, the Okinawa Times, and quickly went viral across the internet. Social media users have voiced harsh criticism, arguing that the reporter’s relationship with the sub...