A Japanese politician "demanded an inquiry into allegations" the vice chairman of Japan's Olympic Committee has close ties with the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan's largest yakuza group, according to Julian Ryall of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. Yoshio Maki, a member of the opposition Japan Restoration Party, "asked the education minister in parliament whether he was aware of the photo that shows Hidetoshi Tanaka, who is also chairman of the elite Nihon University, sharing drinks with Shinobu Tsukasa, the head of the gang." Two reporters reportedly "had their kneecaps smashed by assailants last year when they started investigating the photo." Education Minister Hakubun Shimomura replied that "he had been unaware of the allegations of a link between Tanaka and organised crime, but added that he intended to look into the matter." Jake Adelstein, author of "Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter On The Police Beat In Japan" and an expert on Japan's underworld groups, said that "that vow to look into the matter is the first solid commitment by the government to look into a link" that has been rumored since early last year. Tanaka "is very close" to PM Shinzo Abe (SCMP, 4/16).
