Yakuza
, also known as , are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The Japanese police and media, by request of the police, call them , while the ''yakuza'' call themselves . The English equivalent for the term ...
from
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. Fukuoka Prefecture has a population of 5,109,323 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 4,986 Square kilometre, km2 (1,925 sq mi). Fukuoka Prefecture borders S ...
. He is the fifth president of the yakuza group
Kudo-kai
The is a yakuza group headquartered in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka on the Kyushu island of Japan, with an estimated 220 active members.
Arrests
On September 13, 2014, Nomura was arrested by Riot Police for his involvement in the shooting and murder of Kunihiro Kajiwara, a former fishermen's union leader in Kitakyushu. On October 1, he was re-arrested for the stabbing and attempted murder of a nurse. On May 22, 2015, he was re-arrested for the stabbing and attempted murder of a dentist. On June 16, he was re-arrested on suspicion of tax evasion. On July 6, he was re-arrested for the attempted murder and shooting of a former police inspector.
Trial and conviction
Nomura's trial opened January 14, 2021. On August 24, 2021, the Fukuoka District Court sentenced Nomura to
death
Death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including brainstem, and brain ...
for ordering four assaults, including murder.
Nomura was the first senior member of the Yakuza to be sentenced to death. His right hand man Fumio Tanoue was sentenced to life imprisonment in the same trial. Nomura reportedly threatened presiding judge Tsutomu Adachi, stating that he would regret sending him to the gallows, which led to tightened security around the judge and all those involved in the court proceedings. He is currently appealing against the sentence.