On December 12, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Board announced the relocation of the Matsubakai, a designated organized crime group, from its headquarters in Asakusa, Tokyo, to Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture. This significant move raises concerns regarding its implications for public safety and is being closely monitored by law enforcement. The now-demolished headquarters was situated about 600 meters from the popular tourist destination, Sensoji Temple, and had been operational since at least 1997, featuring secured windows and surveillance cameras targeting public roads.

The Matsubakai was formed in 1953 and became a designated yakuza group in 1994, maintaining a strong presence across North Kanto, with a reported membership of around 280 individuals as of the end of 2024. The group managed its operations from a four-story building that has now been reduced to a plot of land measuring roughly 100 square meters. The history of this location as a yakuza hub poses questions regarding the potential effects of its closure on organized crime in the area and beyond, raising speculation about shifts in criminal activity following the relocation.

Asakusa, known for its rich historical and cultural significance, alongside bustling business and community activities, may experience a changed atmosphere, as this area has been associated with organized crime for decades. Local residents and authorities now await the potential ramifications of this relocation, in hopes of improving safety and reducing yakuza influence in one of Tokyo's most historic districts.