A Japanese court on Monday sentenced Toshiya Fujita, 41, to life in prison for his role in a series of robberies orchestrated by a crime ring operating from the Philippines, a group known by the moniker “Luffy,” after the popular manga character. The Tokyo District Court’s decision aligns with the demands of public prosecutors, marking the second life sentence handed down to a senior member of the organization.
Fujita was convicted of involvement in seven robbery cases across Tokyo and three other prefectures between October 2022 and January 2023, including a particularly egregious incident in Komae, Tokyo, where a 90-year-old woman died after being subjected to a home invasion. According to the court ruling, Fujita played a critical role in the group’s operations, controlling perpetrators by assessing their capabilities and issuing instructions from an immigration facility in the Philippines.
The trial centered on determining Fujita’s level of responsibility for the crimes, specifically whether he could be considered a co-principal. Presiding Judge Sakon Togari concluded that Fujita “played an essential role for the organization’s profit,” dismissing the defendant’s claim that he did not instruct the assault on the victim in the Komae case. The judge stated that Fujita carried out his duties for the common interest of the organization.
Prosecutors argued that Fujita directed the robberies remotely, and the court agreed, characterizing the crimes as a “new type of organizational crime carried out by remote control.” The judge noted the significant anxiety the robberies created within Japanese society. The defense had argued that Fujita was coerced into assisting with the robberies by other detainees at the immigration facility, claiming his role was limited to aiding and abetting. The court rejected this assertion.
This sentencing follows the July 2025 conviction of Tomonobu Kojima, 48, another senior member of the “Luffy” group, who received a 20-year prison sentence for his role in planning the robberies and recruiting participants. Kojima has appealed that ruling. Of the four senior members arrested and indicted, two have now been sentenced.
The court’s decision highlighted the unprecedented nature of the crimes, noting that Fujita issued instructions to perpetrators from overseas “without getting his own hands dirty,” demonstrating a disregard for human life and a lack of awareness regarding the brutality of the violence inflicted. The judge emphasized the immense impact and anxiety the crimes inflicted on Japanese society.
Fujita’s lawyer indicated they are considering an appeal of the life sentence. The investigation into the remaining members of the “Luffy” crime ring remains ongoing.
