Tokyo police have arrested a real estate agent on suspicion of providing client information to a criminal organization and involvement in an attempted robbery, officials said Tuesday. The suspect, 53-year-old Shinobu Ishihara, a resident of Minato Ward, was taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police Department on charges of attempted robbery and unlawful entry.

Authorities suspect Ishihara, who described himself as a real estate agent, of supplying details about clients to a tokuryu—a loosely organized anonymous criminal group operating in the Tokyo area. Police allege this information was used by a robbery planner to recruit perpetrators through intermediaries and carry out a break-in.

The arrest marks the first time the Metropolitan Police Department has detained an individual believed to have served as an information source in connection with crimes linked to tokuryu groups, according to investigators.

Ishihara is suspected of conspiring with 50-year-old Yasuhiro Nakashima, who has been charged with attempted robbery and related offenses. Nakashima is believed to have orchestrated an attempted robbery on March 20 at a combined architectural office and residence located in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

During the incident, several perpetrators broke a window around 7:40 p.m. and tried to steal money and valuables from the couple living at the premises, a man and woman in their 50s and 60s. The robbery was unsuccessful due to the couple's resistance.

Investigations indicate that Ishihara had visited the couple’s home multiple times after they sought his assistance with real estate matters. Around November 2024, authorities say Ishihara provided Nakashima with detailed information about the couple’s assets and family structure. Nakashima allegedly planned a robbery for the following month, which was later abandoned due to difficulty recruiting enough participants.

Following a failed robbery attempt in early 2026, Nakashima reportedly consulted Ishihara again about targeting the couple’s home in March. Ishihara is alleged to have agreed to aid the plan, with an arrangement to split any stolen money and valuables equally between Nakashima and the recruiter involved.

Police have arrested seven suspects in total in connection with the attempted robbery, including Nakashima and others believed to be the recruiter and the actual perpetrators. Ishihara’s suspected involvement came to light through testimonies from those arrested and analysis of their smartphones, officials said.

The Metropolitan Police Department has not disclosed whether Ishihara has admitted to the allegations. Investigators continue to examine possible additional links between Ishihara and the organized criminal group.