THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
May 11, 2022 at 16:53 JST
Investigators search an office of an organization that operates YamatoQ, a conspiracy-minded, anti-vaccine group, in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on April 9. (Shingo Tsuru)
Tokyo police arrested three more members of the anti-vaccine YamatoQ conspiracy group on May 11 on suspicion of unlawful entry into a vaccination clinic in Shibuya Ward, according to investigative sources.
The latest busts bring the total of those arrested in connection with the break-in to eight.
The sources said those newly arrested are in their 40s to 50s and are suspected of intruding into the COVID-19 vaccination site on the morning of April 7 to protest.
Twelve members of YamatoQ, which reportedly calls itself the Japanese arm of U.S. conspiracy cult QAnon and has been waging a campaign against the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, barged into the clinic that morning.
The Metropolitan Police Department has already arrested five of them including a 43-year-old man who serves as an executive of the organization. He calls himself the leader of YamatoQ.
Of the five, the executive and three members have been indicted on a trespassing charge.
YamatoQ has protested against vaccinations across the country. The group also spreads misinformation about the coronavirus and vaccinations on its website.
YamatoQ leader arrested after followers disrupt vaccine clinic
April 20, 2022
Clinic targeted by anti-vaxxers harassed after intrusion arrests
April 14, 2022
Members tied to QAnon arrested over break-in at vaccine center
April 7, 2022
Who’s first? Medical workers, elderly vie for scarce vaccines
April 22, 2021
Osaka arson suspect dies without giving apology, reason
December 31, 2021
Gunman killed doctor after he refused to ‘revive’ dead mother
January 30, 2022
Stories about memories of cherry blossoms solicited from readers
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry
A series on the death of a Japanese woman that sparked a debate about criminal justice policy in the United States
A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
