Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 428, The First Corruption Case Since the Millennium!
At the Metropolitan Police Department's press conference, the entire scene, with over 200 media outlets and several major television stations, was utterly silent as they watched the slides displaying autopsies and X-ray analysis diagrams of bulletproof vests.

Although people don't know much about police equipment or bulletproof vests, even a fool could understand the pictures shown by the Metropolitan Police Department: compared to the normal NIJ Level 3 Kevlar bulletproof vests, the bulletproof vests worn by the two fallen inspectors, Fuma Kikuchi and Yuki Yamada, had serious problems!

"Dear all Japanese people, it is with great regret that this agency informs you of this matter in this manner. This agency is deeply saddened by the deaths of Inspectors Yuki Yamada and Fuma Kikuchi. Therefore, this agency is determined to give the deceased and the people of Japan an explanation. However, during the investigation into the cause of death of the two deceased inspectors, the forensic department and the forensic science department discovered problems."

Tomonobu Togasaki, the head of the Public Relations Division, picked up the bright yellow .45 caliber bullet from the sealed plastic bag: "Before the incident, we always thought that the murderer, Kaito Sakuma, was using a special AP armor-piercing bullet."

"However, during the autopsy in the forensic department, the bullet we found was just a standard .45 caliber bullet."

"This matter greatly exceeded the expectations of this agency. Therefore, after investigation by Inspector Meisa Kashiwagi, head of the Forensic Science and Equipment Management Department, we have discovered a very, very serious fact!"

"That is, although the bulletproof vests of the two police inspectors who died in the line of duty came from different batches and different warehouses, they had almost the exact same problem!"

"Therefore, this agency conducted a comprehensive inspection of all bulletproof vests in stock throughout Tokyo... and the results of the inspection were as follows."

Behind Tomonobu Togasaki lies the result of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department's Security Division.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's bulletproof vest inventory has a defect rate of 87%!

87%?

The entire audience held their breath in suspense.

87%...

The whole place was silent.

87%! ! !

Then, the whole place was adorned with flowers and brocade, and the number 87% exploded like a spark falling into a TNT bomb!

The Metropolitan Police Department has been blown up! And it's a self-destruction!
An 87% failure rate, an 87% failure rate for bulletproof vests—this earth-shattering discovery is enough to destroy the entire Sakuradamon Gate, and even the entire Japanese police force!

How dare the Metropolitan Police Department? They actually dared to leak this information themselves? Aren't they afraid of dying?

Reporters at the scene, countless media outlets, and even tens of millions of Japanese citizens watching on television were stunned.

"Is this the reason why a large group of SAT test takers and police officers were suddenly mobilized yesterday?"

"Section Chief Togasaki! Could you please explain this matter in more detail?"

"Given this incident at the Metropolitan Police Department, what are your plans?"

"Chief! Chief! Why didn't anyone notice this before? Why was it discovered by the Metropolitan Police Department this time?"

"How many people at the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters are involved in this matter? How do the higher-ups plan to handle this?"

"Who have been the main personnel in charge of procurement at the Metropolitan Police Department over the years? Which companies are the procurement agents? Can this be made public?"

At the scene, countless questions came flooding in like a torrent. The reporters rushed forward as if they had gone mad, vying to ask questions.

[The cockroaches are so noisy.] A village beauty commented: [I really wanted to stomp them all to death!]

[Tsk tsk tsk, if I were still alive, the headlines would definitely be mine!] Mariko Hironaka still can't forget her career as a news anchor.

"I'm just a comedian, it's none of my business. Celebrities should never comment on political issues!" Miyahara Tetsu avoided the topic at all costs.

"Quiet, quiet!" Section Chief Togasaki gestured for everyone to be quiet. He spoke into the microphone, "This is not a press conference, it's an announcement! Please wait until I finish speaking! If the time permits, we will consider selecting one or two reporters to ask questions!"

The entire room then fell silent.

"After the head of the Equipment Management Department, Meisa Kashiwagi, discovered the problem, she realized that this matter was not simple. The agency had been supplying Yamato Armor with supplies for 10 years without any inspection records of any problems. Therefore, she dared not make a fuss and told her husband, Inspector Jin Kashiwagi of the Third Division of the First Investigation Division!"

"Through the combined efforts and efforts of the couple, this department has finally uncovered the truth!"

After saying that, the Metropolitan Police Department thoroughly investigated and uncovered the entire chain of interests involving Yamato armor and the Metropolitan Police Department!
This has already been discussed earlier, so it will not be repeated here. Yamato Armor does not directly deal with the Minister of General Affairs. The chain of interests between the two is connected through mid-level officers in the Metropolitan Police Department. Yamato Armor establishes direct contact with the lower and middle levels of the General Affairs Department. At the section chief level, as the executive level, they directly deal with suppliers. At the division chief level, they receive money and forge documents. At the prosecutor and councilor level, they profit through relatives as intermediaries. They also establish firewalls by forging various documents and guiding others to prevent the Minister of General Affairs from discovering the problems.

The condition for implementing this firewall is the addition of a "technocrat," namely, the head of the scientific research research institute, Inoue Yutoshi.

Thus, a long list of corrupt officials was made public by the entire Metropolitan Police Department.

Superintendent Sasaki, a prosecutor in the police department, and his department profit 1 million yen annually!
The head of the equipment section, Inspector Ijuin, and his department earn 8000 million yen annually!
Inspector Inoue, the head of the Forensic Science Research Institute, and his department profited 6000 million yen annually!
The Tōdō Group earns 4000 million yen annually!
Warehouse management department, annual profit of 3000 million yen!
There are also equipment appraisal technicians and technical officers from local police stations' forensic departments, as well as various police officers of different ranks from the Metropolitan Police Department involved in this chain of interests; the long list includes hundreds of people!
This incredibly long list is alarming.

"Thanks to the efforts and hard work of Inspectors Jin Kashiwagi and Meisa Kashiwagi, this agency has successfully obtained key evidence of bribery and launched an emergency search in accordance with the law. The SAT successfully raided the Yamato Armor headquarters and obtained the following irrefutable evidence!"

Tomonobu Togasaki, head of the Public Relations Division of the General Affairs Department of the Metropolitan Police Department, proudly displayed some of the censored evidence.

Evidence 1: All the coded ledgers are irrefutable evidence of the Metropolitan Police Department and the bribery records of its upper and lower branches!

Evidence 2: Audio and video recordings, including over 200 private conversations recorded over 10 years, and numerous hidden cameras and publicly recorded videos—legally admissible audio-visual evidence!
Evidence 3: Evidence of transnational corruption involving overseas accounts and money laundering accounts opened in the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, with recipients including relatives of police inspectors!
"As you can see, through raids and emergency interrogations, this agency has obtained irrefutable evidence of criminal records of hundreds of police officers, led by Inspector Sasaki. Soon, this agency will transfer all the evidence and suspects to the prosecution. As for whether they are guilty or not, that will be decided by the prosecution, whether to prosecute them!"

"Finally, this office would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Inspector Kashiwagi Jin for his bravery and fearlessness. He risked his life to retrieve this crucial and decisive evidence for us. This corrupt pyramid built with paper armor was finally detonated prematurely by a silver bullet aimed at nothingness before it collapsed into deeper darkness."

"He is our God of War! The Cosmic Superman! Ultraman!"

"Although Inspector Kashiwagi is unable to be here today due to injury, please give this hero the warmest applause!"

After he finished speaking, the head of the Publicity Department led the applause.

Uesugi Muneyuki clapped along, tears welling in his eyes.

That's amazing, old man!

Minami Watanabe, who was next to Uesugi Muneyuki, was also moved to tears.

That was so heroic, Lao Ren!

Miss Minami knows how heavy this pot is.

In this wave, at least 100 police officers will be forcibly dismissed and held criminally liable. Preliminary estimates suggest that in addition to these 100 officers who will be sentenced, at least 500 officers will be implicated and forced to resign. More than 1000 officers, while not forced to resign, will have their files and career prospects greatly affected by this incident.

A quick count reveals that the career prospects of as many as 1600 police officers have exploded and soared to new heights. What's worse, at least half of them have some kind of background, and even those without a background have relatives and friends.
Even so, you still forge ahead for the justice in your heart, undeterred even if it means dying nine times? Hajiren, you are truly amazing!

The audience burst into applause.

Is this the Metropolitan Police Department under Commissioner Watanabe's leadership?
Assembly, action, perfection; unity, precision, speed.

In just over a day, they have already obtained irrefutable evidence of the entire chain of interests!
too strong!
Amidst thunderous applause, Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe, Deputy Superintendent General Ren Oyama, Chief of Criminal Investigation Department Kanji Uchimura, Chief of Police Affairs Department Ide, Chief of General Affairs Department Tanaka, and others stood up and bowed in unison.

"We, the entire Metropolitan Police Department, extend our deepest condolences to the national and social impact and negative effects of this incident, and to the Yamada and Kikuchi families who have suffered greatly as a result. (April 20th - likely a date or date.)"

After bowing deeply, Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe rubbed his temples. When he looked up again, there was no hesitation in his eyes, only a resolute determination: "This department will not hide the facts. We will show the people our achievements and mistakes, and... our attitude in facing the truth of the deaths of Inspectors Kikuchi Yamada and Kikuchi."

"We will place the strictest possible surveillance on Kaito Sakuma within the limits of the law. We will respect the wishes of his family to the greatest extent possible."

"Regarding the posthumous treatment of the two fallen police inspectors: the General Affairs Department's compensation plan is approved. Furthermore: in recognition of their undeserved sacrifice, a fundamental reform of the entire police equipment testing and procurement system must be immediately initiated!"

"Regarding the bulletproof vest issue: This agency will immediately initiate criminal proceedings and seek damages against 'Yamato Armor'."

"All heads of the purchasing department have been transferred to the police department (for internal investigation) on suspicion of negligent homicide and bribery, and will be handed over to the prosecutor's office soon! Along with everyone at Yamato Armor!"

"Immediately conduct a full inspection of all police equipment nationwide (especially bulletproof vests). Substandard products should be discarded immediately and replacements should be procured."

"Introducing external audits to oversee the procurement process, abolishing random inspections and mandating full batch inspections, and shifting bidding standards from price-oriented to quality-oriented are the top priorities for this meeting!"

Eiji Watanabe straightened his back, his gaze sweeping over every face that was filled with shock, shame, or anger: "Gentlemen, the price of victory is too heavy, but this department will not let this price be wasted. We will turn it into the cornerstone of the new life of the Metropolitan Police Department. We, the entire Metropolitan Police Department, will be prepared to fight to the death!"

And so began what was touted as Japan's first corruption case since the turn of the millennium!
(End of this chapter)