"The Halloween event that has taken place annually on October 31 will be canceled this year due to various reasons. We regret disappointing parents and children looking forward to the event, but we promise to resume it next year," said a notice posted on the gates of the syndicate’s compound, according to Japan Today.
The reason for this move appears to be a recent schism within the criminal organization, as a possible gang war might threaten the lives of children attending the event.
The split occurred in September when several of the Yamaguchi-gumi branch groups severed their ties with the 3,000-member parent organization and formed their own splinter group.
The Japanese authorities have already launched a series of police raids in an attempt to prevent a potential outbreak of gang violence.
The Yamaguchi-gumi criminal syndicate is the largest of its kind in Japan; its members account for about 46 percent of the country’s yakuza.
