📷 Hamamatsu Nightlife Guide: Best Bars & Ramen for Visitors

Hospitality and Service Industry

Protection Fees (Mikajime-ryo)

To a pachinko parlor owner… “This area is our turf. Come pay your respects.” To a video rental shop owner who refused protection fees… “Can’t do business with us? We handle flowers and other things elsewhere, but we won’t ask for that. Just work with us.”

Bodyguard Fees (Yojinbo-dai)

To an izakaya owner… “We’re opening an office nearby. We’ll collect debts from customers and settle disputes. Let us take care of you for a low fee.” To a snack bar owner… “Mama, do business with us. We’ll provide flowers or towels. If anything happens, we’ll handle it.”

False Accusations

To a sushi restaurant owner… “The sushi roll I bought had something like bamboo in it, and I got a stomachache. I’m not asking for money—just show some sincerity.” To a hotel owner (after reporting a gang member’s lost item to the police)… “Why’d you report it to the police first? Because of you, I got punished by my boss. What are you going to do about it?”

How to Respond

1. When Asked for “Greetings” or “Business Ties”
All demands listed above are subject to cease-and-desist orders and are typically considered violent demands. Contact the police or the Anti-Organized Crime Center immediately if you receive such demands.
Response Attitude
Show no weakness, remain firm, and ask for specific details about their demands.

Response Guidelines
“We already have a contract with another provider.”
“The owner has instructed us to decline.”
“We cannot do business with you, as per police guidance.”

2. When Facing False Accusations
False accusations may involve claims about stains on laundry, foreign objects in food, defective products, scratches from car washes, staff mistakes, or expired food.
The phrase “show sincerity” is often used to avoid direct extortion charges.

Response Attitude
Show no weakness, remain firm, and ask for specific details about their demands.
Evaluate their claims as you would with any customer, considering:
– Is the claim legitimate?
– Is payment necessary?
Handle it as standard industry practice.

3. Handling Harassment
Harassment from organized crime can escalate and may lead to criminal cases. Report to the police promptly without hesitation.
Examples in snack bars include:

Harassment Examples

• Visiting as customers and causing a disturbance
• Ordering minimally and lingering for hours
• Starting staged fights in the venue
• Pretending to be drunk, breaking items, or harassing other customers

In such cases:
Response Guidelines

• Refuse entry, display anti-organized crime stickers, or adopt a members-only policy
• Claim damages for affected items
• File a police report for criminal incidents

Maintaining a firm stance is crucial.

Contact for Support

Police

Shizuoka Prefecture Police Community Consultation Office: 054-254-9110
Emergency: #9110 (Push-button phone)

Shizuoka Prefecture Police Anti-Organized Crime Hotline: 0120-548-930

Contact your local police station’s consultation desk or Criminal Investigation Division (Section 2).

Shizuoka Prefecture Anti-Organized Crime Center

Address: 4F Seigin-Chukyogin Shizuoka Station South Building, 11-1 Minami-cho, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8067

Phone: 054-283-8930 | Toll-Free: 0120-50-8930

Early consultation leads to quick resolution of issues with organized crime or anti-social groups (e.g., fake right-wing groups, fraudulent organizations). If you feel uneasy about a situation or suspect foul play, contact the police or our center immediately.

Our center has expert staff ready to assist, and we can connect you with lawyers from the Civil Intervention Violence Countermeasure Committee for civil-related issues.

Early action simplifies problem resolution.

Consultations are free and confidential. Reach out via phone, fax, or email.