Hiroto Katagiri
Detective Hitoro Katagiri is a senior detective within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and one of the major forces in the investigation into the Yakuza power-struggles within Japan.
Despite his reserves as a detective, Katagiri works unofficially with Jake Adelstein to solve a string of murders thought to be linked with the actions of the Yakuza.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Investigating the Yakuza[edit | edit source]
After two strange deaths occur in Tokyo, Katagiri becomes concerned that the increasing Tozawa activity within Tokyo is causing issues for the other clans of the Yakuza. Katagiri investigates a crime scene in which a man was stabbed by a samurai sword, but is dissatisfied with his partners decision to close the case when a suitable witness appears. Katagiri remarks that it is ironic that a low-level member of the Tozawa would turn himself in to shut down the case and prevent further investigation.
Despite his concerns, Katagiri finds he is largely ignored within the TMPD. He approaches the captain, but finds he is also reluctant to reopen the case given they have arrested a suspect.[1] Katagiri decides to take matters into his own hands and goes to question the wife of one of the deceased men. She reveals that they were in debt to loan sharks who were threatening them over repayments. Katagiri takes the evidence the deceased man had built to investigate further.
Eventually, Katagiri is forced to stop a fight between two of the main Yakuza clans, the Tozawa and the Chihara-Kai, but is witnessed in doing so by none other than Jake Adelstein, who snaps a photo of Katagiri and the Yakuza together. Katagiri sees this and takes the photograph from him, warning him not to publish any articles about the encounter he has witnessed. Slowly, Katagiri warms up to Jake and in return for stealing his story, allows him to accompany the TMPD whilst they arrest two of Tozawa's men.[2]
Aiding Adelstein's investigation[edit | edit source]
After allowing Jake to accompany him and write a piece on the events, Katagiri begins to trust Jake more and the two frequently hang out at Katagiri's house. Jake questions him on what he said that night when he stopped the fight between the two Yakuza clans, but Katagiri is reluctant to tell him. Instead, he tells him that the Police mediate the peace between the Yakuza clans, but hardly prosecute them.
When Jake asks Katagiri for advice about solving the death of the man who set himself on fire, Katagiri tells him that he cannot officially help or give him any of the resources he has found as this would be breaking the rule. He does, however, tell Jake to track down the company through their registration number as this stays the same despite their constant moving about.
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Season One