Philippines says it has learned lessons from "Luffy" crime ring case

MANILA, Jan. 22 Kyodo - The Philippines has taken steps to ensure foreign nationals detained in its main immigration facility in Manila cannot conduct criminal activities the way the "Luffy"-led Japanese crime ring organized burglaries until they were busted a year ago, the country's justice secretary said recently. "We have pinpointed the weaknesses in the system" of immigration detention, Jesus Crispin Remulla said in an interview with Kyodo News last Thursday, adding the Philippines has learned lessons from the case, in which four leaders of the ring orchestrated crimes in Japan in 2021 and 2022 while inside the facility. (Kyodo)

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - NYC

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - NYC

Monkey D. Luffy during 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Ny, USA on November 23, 2023. Photo by Janet Mayer/Startraks/ABACAPRESS.COM

U.S.-NEW YORK-THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

U.S.-NEW YORK-THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

(231123) -- NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The balloon of Monkey D. Luffy is seen during the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the United States, on Nov. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

China First Two-dimensional Cultural Mall in Shanghai

China First Two-dimensional Cultural Mall in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 24, 2023 - Tourists visit the exquisite wax figure of Luffy, the protagonist of the Japanese classic animation "One Piece", at ZX, China's first Two-dimensional cultural mall, in Shanghai, China, August 24, 2023.

"One Piece" goods shop in Shanghai

"One Piece" goods shop in Shanghai

Cosplayers pose for a photo on June 10, 2023, next to a statue of Monkey D. Luffy, a character from the best-selling Japanese manga "One Piece," inside a goods shop that opened in a theme park in Shanghai the same day.

Man in Japan also employed "Luffy" username to organize robberies

Police suspect that a man in Japan also employed the "Luffy" online username to organize a string of robberies in the country, in addition to the alleged ringleader who is currently detained in the Philippines, sources close to the matter said Saturday. Japanese police have requested that the four men in Manila be transferred to Japan, after obtaining arrest warrants for fraud. The police plan to investigate the possible involvement of the four men in the spate of robberies since last year. According to Japan's National Police Agency, there have been at least 20 cases of theft and robbery in 14 prefectures since last year, including a murder-robbery at the home of 90-year-old Kinuyo Oshio in the city of Komae in western Tokyo on Jan. 19. Over 30 suspects have been arrested in connection with the crimes.

Giant scarecrows amaze visitors in E China

STORY: Giant scarecrows amaze visitors in E China DATELINE: May 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:59 LOCATION: HEFEI, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the giant scarecrows in Hefei STORYLINE: King Kong, Luffy from One Piece and dinosaurs in Jurassic World... you could have them all at a forest park in Hefei City, capital of east China's Anhui Province as various scarecrow works are on display at the park. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hefei, China. (XHTV)

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

Kumamon (L), Kumamoto Prefecture's black bear mascot, poses beside a life-size statue of Monkey D. Luffy, a character from Japan's best-selling manga "One Piece," that was erected in front of the prefectural government building in southwestern Japan on Nov. 30, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (L), along with other officials, poses for a photo in front of a life-size statue of Monkey D. Luffy, a character from Japan's best-selling manga "One Piece," that was erected in front of the prefectural government building in southwestern Japan on Nov. 30, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (front row, 2nd from L), along with other officials, poses for a photo beside a life-size statue of Monkey D. Luffy, a character from Japan's best-selling manga "One Piece," that was erected in front of the prefectural government building in southwestern Japan on Nov. 30, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

"One Piece" Luffy statue erected in cartoonist's hometown

Photo shows a life-size statue of Monkey D. Luffy, a character from Japan's best-selling manga "One Piece," erected in front of the Kumamoto prefectural government building in southwestern Japan on Nov. 30, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Bandai Namco to release game with famous Japanese characters

Bandai Namco to release game with famous Japanese characters

Photo taken on June 10, 2018 in Los Angeles shows Luffy, a character from the famous Japanese manga and anime "One Piece," in a preview of Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.'s new game title "Jump Force" to be released next year in the United States. The game also features other popular Japanese manga characters such as Goku from "Dragon Ball Z". (Kyodo) ==Kyodo