The Yakuza's association with Halloween in Japan seems like a bad joke, but they've been the go-to guys for spooky entertainment and a night full of fun for trick-or-treaters for decades.
(Image via Tomohiko Suzuki)
Last year the gang handed out candy in colorful bags to legions of little costumed kiddies and all went well, but a recent split in the Yakuza's ranks has them fearing a gunfight will break out so they decided to cancel the Halloween festivities.
Adding to the surreal nature of this story is the fact that the cancellation was announced with this note posted on the gate of Yamaguchi-gumi's headquarters in the port city of Kobe:
"The Halloween event that has taken place annually on 31 October will be cancelled this year due to various reasons. We regret disappointing parents and children who are looking forward to the event, but we promise to hold it next year, so please look forward to that."
Man, the Japanese mafia seem like a bunch of stand-up guys!
-Via The Guardian